Chapter 3: The great disappointment of Molenbeek

They were out at the first change in their first competition in the UEFA Cup. Espanyol, who was second in the league, succumbed to a stranger.

Extinguished as such the Fairs Cup, it would not take Espanyol to participate in the tournament that happened: the UEFA Cup. The debut would occur, in addition, in a magnificent year for the parrots, 1973, when José Emilio Santamaría in command had been fighting just three months before for the League title, finally finishing in a third position that matches the best of his history.

The expectations, therefore, could not be better when they also arrived as second runners-up in the first qualifying round of the continental premiere, on September 19, against a virtually unknown rival, now and before, the Racing White Moleenbek. But the history of Espanyol, capable of the best and the worst, is plagued by situations like this, where between Koens, Polleunis and Teugels destroyed the favorite team in the first leg, with a relentless 0-3 in Sarrià. It is true that Solsona and De Felipe both crashed balls in the post, and that De Diego also dismantled a very clear casión, but the Belgians prevailed with their rhythm and their very high efficiency.

The return in Belgium, which would take place on October 3, would not have too many surprises, although of course the Espanyol sought the miracle. Little could be done between Amiano and Roberto Martinez before the early goal of Polleunis, at 11 minutes, which thwarted any sign of a comeback. With the 1-2 it closed an anodyne European participation, as it would be the march of that course by LaLiga. Clearly disappointing