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This is a very good question that all Genoese ask themselves every time we go to Genoa or meet Grifoni Barcelona.
Why do some Catalans cheer for Genoa? Well, now we will give you the answer.
It all starts in the early 90’s. Jordi, one of the founders of Penya Almogàvers (a group of FC Barcelona fans) lives in Italy and wants to know the cheering style of the different groups of ultras to export it to the Camp Nou, the Barça stadium.
On one of his visits he met the leaders of the Griffon Pit, and with them he lived some matches of the Rossoblu team. The connection is total, love at first sight. In addition, two things influence this twinning: the rossoblù colors (like those of Barça) and also the esteem that Genoa fans have for Barça due to the Catalan victories against Sampdoria.
We remember that in 1989 Barça had defeated Sampdoria in the Cup Winners’ Cup, and in 1992 in the final of the European Cup at Wembley, with a goal from Koeman. Rossoblu and two finals won against Sampdoria… an unbeatable combination!
Thus, Jordi’s friendship with Katanga, Pippo, Bianchi and other leaders of the Fossa strengthened over the weeks and in January 1994. they were invited to the Camp Nou and his banner shone in the North Goal. After this exchange there is also an official invitation from the North Stairs to the Almogàvers and the Boixos Nois to Luigi Ferraris, and some members of these groups. are present in the derby April 1994.
Other members of the Almogàvers, Ernest, Carles, Albert, Marc … are delighted with the Fossa dei Grifoni and Genoa, and decide to found a group, calling it FG Barça, and the public presentation takes place at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in November from 1994 to Genoa-Parma. The Catalans fell in love with the joy, the fans and the passion for Genoa, living it live.
Unfortunately, in that season Genoa will be relegated to Serie B and will remain there for some years, and even in the 2005-06 season, they will play in Serie C.
During that trip to the Genoa desert, for various reasons the contact between the members of FG Barça and the Genoa fans was minimal, but like the phoenix rising from the ashes, at the end of 2006 the FG Barça group became Grifoni Barcelona and The culés are back with force to cheer on the oldest team in Italy.
We return again to the Ferraris on the occasion of Genoa-Juventus He played in Serie B, and as Grifoni Barcelona we make the official presentation. That same season, Genoa was promoted to Serie A.
From then on, the trips and exchanges of the members of Grifoni Barcelona with the different ultras groups of Gradinata Nord, Ottavio Barbieri, Figgi Do Zena, Brigata Speloncia, Gruppo Meroni, Balordi Genova 1893, Old Block, Armenia 5r, Sguardo Assente, GAV, Caruggi, etc. have been done almost every year, and some of them too they were invited to the Camp Nou, since most of the members of Grifoni Barcelona are also part of Penya Almogàvers, and as Genoa and her fans discovered, she too fell in love.
In addition, in Barcelona there is also Penya Genoana, a group of Italians and obviously Genoese fans who live in Barcelona and other cities in Catalonia, with whom the Catalans from Grifoni Barcelona are twinned and with whom there is a brotherhood. Very special that introduced us to the history of the Old Misfit.
Grifoni Barcelona is considered a Club of Genoa, and is part of the Genoa fan clubs abroad, being recognized and loved by the Gradinata del Norte. In addition, on the occasion of the match Spanish-Genoa Played in August 2014 in Barcelona, at Grifoni Barcelona we were officially received by the club and by the expedition of footballers, and where we also received all the Genoese fans who came to the Catalan capital. More than one time, the club mentioned us on their social media.
At the end of 2019, on a visit to Genoa, we were also received in a special visit to the Museum of the History of Genoa, where we donated a collection of material from our little history to the archives of the Fundación Génova 1893.
From the first time we were to Genoa, as well as every time we were there, we have felt at home. They all treated us in a very special way and looked after and respected us as if we were a club of the great Griffin family. The warmth, love and company that we live in on the North Stairs is incredible and there we have forged a brotherhood and a friendship that will last forever.
(But what nobody has ever told us is that being a fan of Genoa is not giving up suffering. Damn you!)
Come on, old man, red-blue heart!
Grifoni Barcelona
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