SAID MR. DE VECCHI
— Fors | 16/04/1925 — 

Two hours after the spirited game played by C.D. Europa with the Olympians, for informative purposes that will be seen later, the person transcribing was interviewed at the Hotel de España, where the prestigious South American football embassy is staying until tomorrow, with Mr. Arturo De Vecchi, soul of the Uruguayan excursion through the old continent.

Here is a sketch of our interlocutor; modern promotional temperament is the same in the bureau as on the field. In the preparatory work for the matches, he has displayed surprising activity. In our dealings with these foreign sportsmen, but brothers, who have come to offer us the first fruits of their innovative game and to infect us with their enthusiasm — who knows if we have already taken the first firm step towards the Spanish championship! — We have been able to observe Mr. De Vecchi closely, not knowing what to admire more than the twofold aspect of his personality: his organizational capacity or his profound technical knowledge.

A person of such relevant merits is particularly charming. Responding to the message that a groom has given him, he welcomes us kindly, cutting off our apologetic phrases.

De Vecchi: No problem, friend; very honored with the visit of a representative of the Barcelona press, for which we were very grateful, as well as the public. What an audience, wow! Simply wonderful. Neither in America nor anywhere else have we seen the same. I am particularly determined that you make it so stated.

— Well, Don Arturo, the American press. Certain cables...

De Vecchi: Nothing, friend, a sector of it, not all of it. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the truth is known there. You say that none of us, nor the players, nor the individuals who accompany us, are capable of repeating those lies upon our return. I do not believe that such information comes from the attached journalists either. We assume that all "that" that I don't know how to describe, comes from Paris, from the fantasy head of a Uruguayan with very little common sense.

While we take notes, Mr. De Vecchi continues speaking in a tone of real irritation. Then, bitterly, he adds:

De Vecchi: We were missing that. The organizers are also treated in an undeserved way. And what is our fault that misfortune has befallen our team in Barcelona? As you have already seen, neither Petrone, nor Scarone, nor Mazali have been able to play.

— But don't you have an important group of substitutes?

De Vecchi: Yes, but none has presented a worthy form. In general, the performance of the teams is bad. I don't understand what has happened to them these days. Believe me, friend, they play much better.

— Isn't it the trips, Mr. De Vecchi?

De Vecchi: Sure, but that's not the only reason. From the first match the player's morale is very resentful. This phenomenon began to be experienced when the centre-forward, Petrone, was injured, the main factor in our victories and whose departure is for us something like if the Barcelona team had to play without Samitier. You take charge, then.

— And by the way, how is Petrone doing?

De Vecchi: Good. In frank healing. You can't imagine how sorry he was to not be able to act. Sancho plays a lot, but he was exhausted, and I don't know where he would get so much energy to resist the second game — and Petrone, who in addition to his extraordinary abilities, is of a magnificent physical complexion, immediately realized his superiority in this regard, manifesting to his teammates that the road to goal and victory would soon be almost clear. An unfortunate slip prevented us, and even with clear control at the end of the match, our hopes and those of Uruguay, which trusted in its sons, could not be fulfilled.

The strong man, the leader of the victors, of the undefeated, lets out a sigh and falls silent. So do we. The vision of the Olympics fleetingly crosses our minds. A modest team, which was only hoping for a fifth or sixth place finish, in the space of a few days, had toppled Europe's well-established prestige. The new world conquered the old.

We timidly break the silence:

— Are you very patriotic?

De Vecchi: A lot!

New silence, which we undo, giving another turn to the conversation.

— What do you think of today's game, Mr. De Vecchi?

De Vecchi: It has been the worst for us and for you. Neither Catalan nor Uruguayan technique. Too many nerves on the pitch. For any reason, the match could have easily swung in favor of one side or the other. That circumstance has not mediated, it has resulted in a tie. Mr. Llovera's refereeing, if not always correct, I liked in general and it exuded impartiality, even if some of our players were not convinced.

— Who from C.D. Europa have you liked the most?

De Vecchi:De Vecchi: Bordoy, excellent goalkeeper. Alcázar, great winger, with extraordinary speed. Of the others I do not dare to make a detailed judgement. The centre-half, the centre-forward; Alcoriza, at times they have satisfied me. In general, all very brave guys. The will put into the fight, worthy of praise. Therein lies one of the main reasons for your football power.

— And the Uruguayan team?

De Vecchi: Bad, I already said. Thanks to our half-back line, we have been able to withstand the level fight.

— What is true, Don Arturo, about the replay match with Barcelona for possession of the Copa Alfa Romeo?

De Vecchi: Nothing certain for now. It depends on the progress of our tour and the commitments we make. Of course, we are as interested as Barcelona in celebrating it. We'll see.

— Are you going?

De Vecchi: Saturday, towards Velencia; then to Bilbao, Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam. We plan to postpone some of these games, because we are very tired...

We got up.

— Mr. De Vecchi, good luck.

De Vecchi: Thanks, friend; what we have lost here is what we need to return to Uruguay with our heads raised, because otherwise I believe.

— Here is the Uruguay game taking its place.

We cross the hall, and now near the door.

De Vecchi: Don't forget, comrade, to greet the opinion on our behalf.

These are the last words of this strong man, who has suffered one of the cruelest disappointments of his life.

But the world doesn't end in Barcelona!