Last night was the presentation of the book "Before I forget" , the famous ex-basketball player Juanma López Iturriaga, devoted in recent years to work and sports commentator on television news, blogger, writer and lecturer on various subjects.
The event took place in the room María Zambrano's Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid and although I'm not particularly nostalgic or pathological liar, I wanted to attend an event that aunaba two of my great passions: writing and basketball. I went to Alcala Street, dodging the tail of protesters and riot still swarmed the area after an evening scene with multiple claims, armed with a book that had already struck a good snack on the subway ride, happy with their first chapters and wanting to read more and hear from the mouth of the author the process of creating that work.
The room was packed, full of journalists, fans, curious, family, colleagues and friends that left little Iturriaga stay in a few minutes. I thought I was going to happen, but finally happened. For an unconditional supporter of Real Madrid and the English basketball, he started throwing a ball or a Molten Spalding made his first steps while shooting baskets with 11-12 years and imitating their idols of that time was a small emotional shock to meet them there Twenty five years later, with me, sitting in their respective chairs and chatting with friends and colleagues: Juan Antonio Corbalan, Chechu Biryukov, Rafael Rullan, José Manuel Beira and of course, the star of the evening, Juan Iturriaga.
The presentation was made by Javier Barbero, Turpial editor, Luis Gomez, reporter for El Pais and
one of those responsible for the developments which led to an elite athlete as Iturriaga were to become a communicator, and John Antonio Carlini, fellow basketball Itu wanderings at the legendary Real Madrid and the English team, as well friend for over 30 years and founding partner of the firm Make a Team, where she also serves Iturriaga. A list of luxury tucked the author at his coming-out in the capital. Between jokes and really after the first words of the protagonists of the event, the actual presentation began with the editor as master of ceremonies as he followed a script that was very game. A voiceover narrating was different fragments of the book while the audience listened atentísimos, giving rise to reflections de Iturriaga on that chapter in particular. It was the perfect excuse for Luis Gómez and Juan Antonio Corbalan converse with those Iturriaga on different topics, gathering plan among friends, detailing anecdotes and curiosities in an environment of more relaxed.
From the book's foreword, where Iturriaga confess that I had years fantasizing about the possibility of writing a book and does little more than a year that fantasy made reality overtones. The author revealed he was the publisher who approached him to talk about, and although I had thought earlier on that same subject, began to put excuses himself for not rushing the project. Although in the end, and once resolved his doubts, was launched without a parachute to write this autobiography, memoir, or maybe we better call it chronicles the life of a character public interest and as said Carlini, has left behind the character to become a person and assume that everything lived in the past is then in the future.
A Iturriaga excited at the beginning of the event was taking confidence with the passage of minutes, dealing with fellow Corbalán funny moments, thoughtful and emotional
a life that has given much of himself. Recalled together the arrival of a young man from Bilbao to Madrid, a brutal talent for basketball in junior age wanting to conquer the world and airs about him fell upon arriving in the first team of Real Madrid. Recalled, still shocked, as Lolo Sainz, then a coach, he was forced to exercise only while pitching against the board, but on the back of the basket. Be obliged to so great humiliation in front of colleagues showed you in that team were very well defined hierarchies, depending on experience and years in the workforce, although that would not flinch from someone who had been a prominent figure in the European Junior Santiago de Compostela in 1976. Other passages read transported us to the magical moments spent in the Olympics in Los Angeles 84. Iturriaga evoked the lived when he placed the medal around his neck, feeling again the same sensations that are accompanied since that emotional day. A championship that I remember fondly, as I got up at dawn to hide from my parents to marvel at the feat the game and some players that, until nothing seemed impossible to achieve that dream of hanging a medal.
also talked about the moments spent with his friends on trips and rallies, while his friend Corbalán Itu confessed that there were days that directly, it was not for anyone. An athlete with a multitude of concerns that in reaching the Madrid of the late 70's, saw a world of possibilities ahead. Reached the 80, the Madrid scene, assuming that perhaps jokingly Iturriaga the night had confused. Iturriaga
confessed that, after many years evading the real causes, had been able to take criticism and perhaps did not become that number one would have loved to be only for their lack of concentration and focus, not neglecting the training or sacrifice on the field. A huge talent for basketball, a junior followed by all the big teams who became a star of Real Madrid and a good companion for the selection of the time, where the protagonists were others. His almost unparalleled track record, with seven league, three Cups and two European Cups between other gimped c
on Real Madrid, or the iconic and memorable medal with Spain in the European angelina Nantes or the Olympics, making it one of our greatest athletes of all time. Some achievements from the collective point of view were superb, but Iturriaga regretted not having been able to improve on the individual aspect. Although as stated then, the great Ernie, franchise selection and Barca at the time, failed to win a European Cup in his years wearing short. time flew past as we have fun with informal chat Iturriaga and colleagues regaled the audience. There were times laughter from the audience that left hardly hear the words of the protagonists, but also nostalgic and fond memories. Followed after touching moments, as when remembering his father, now deceased. His first big big fan, the person who accompanied him throughout his basketball career, from those infamous courts where he played in small, cold, wind or rain, but with the intention of becoming a professional player who really came be. We talked about the midlife crises, how bad that had happened to reach this age, and how this book has helped him to overcome neuroses and fears, in a cathartic exercise to ward off the worst ghosts.
was also discussion of the peculiar relationship Iturriaga had with reporters in his years as an athlete. A player with character and a dry humor that was the terror of some journalists, then Luis Gomez recalled. Curiously, the same given the opportunity to Iturriaga premiered as a columnist in the country, and one of the true architects of routing to the media that took Iturriaga once hung up his boots.
Thus passed an hour long but we just knew it, until it ended the presentation. At that time Iturriaga excited again, again thanked all those present assistance and forced his family out on stage to dismiss the action. Many of those present attacked almost literally Iturriaga for them
Ara autographed books including many of the stalwarts of the invaluable blog Dovecote. It then formed a chaotic queue of people who forced the author to re-establish order to sign more quietly, still getting up every few seconds to say hello, kiss and embrace the many friends and acquaintances who had come to the Circle of Fine Arts to accompany him on this special occasion. Of course I soon formed to join the group there, so could I Juan Iturriaga also greet, exchange a few pleasant words with him and take my book signed. To conclude the ceremony were served hors d'oeuvres and traditional meats, accompanied by drinks of all kinds, which were the prelude to the usual coterie of like-minded people. But this time, and without a precedent, we did not stay too long given the late hour, while still having been deceived by a beer next to athletes and Iturriaga or Biryukov, architects of a couple of Madrid, many years ago , decided to play basketball.
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