VALENCIA, Spain — On Saturday, Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium became a poignant site of remembrance as the club paid tribute to the over 200 victims of the catastrophic flash floods that struck the region in late October. Fans and players alike were visibly emotional during the solemn ceremony, which marked Valencia’s return to home games following the disaster.
The floods, which occurred on October 29-30, wreaked havoc in numerous towns and neighborhoods situated south of Valencia city, resulting in significant loss and devastation. As a gesture of solidarity, a massive flag representing the Valencia region was displayed prominently on the field, alongside a large banner that read “Amunt Valencians” (Rise up, Valencians), which included the names of all affected municipalities. The emotional atmosphere was further heightened by a band that played a heartfelt tribute song, leading to tears among the crowd and players.
In the match that followed, Valencia secured a 4-2 victory against Real Betis, with striker Hugo Duro netting two goals. His emotions got the better of him after scoring his first goal, reflecting on the recent tragedies that had unfolded. “I am a sensitive person, and to live through what we have gone through is very difficult. This looked like a war zone,” Duro shared, speaking about the impact of the floods. He added, “When they told us about the homage, I knew that I would end up crying.”
The show of support extended beyond Valencia; players from Real Betis also honored the home team by holding up a Valencia flag after scoring. The relentless aftermath of the flooding has left at least 221 individuals dead and countless homes destroyed, as cleanup efforts continue across the affected areas.