The Castellers d'Esparreguera culminate a historic comeback and win the first day of the Competition in Torredembarra

TorredembarraThe Castellers d’Esparreguera won the first day of the XXX Castells Competition in Torredembarra with 1,940 points, in a day that was decided practically at the last moment. The team in the burgundy shirts surpassed the Castellers de Figueres by only fifteen points, while the Castellers de Cerdanyola completed the podium with 1,735 points. In total, 44 human towers were seen in less than three hours, and notably, there were only two falls.

Esparreguera went about building their performance from less to more. After an initial 5d7, the group tackled the 3d7 raised from below, a construction that required effort, but which they were able to complete. The 7d7 of the third round kept them among the leading groups, but still without having victory assured. Everything was decided in the final round. Just after the dismantled attempt at a 4d8 by the Castellers de Sarrià, Esparreguera opted for an unprecedented construction for the group: the 5d7a. It was the first time they had brought it to the plaza. The tower progressed with solvency, but suffered especially with the entry of the enxaneta into the pillar. Despite this, the group managed to withstand the pressure and complete it, thus securing the triumph and, at the same time, the best performance of their trajectory.

The Castellers de Figueres finished second with 1,925 points. The Empordà natives completed a very solid program with the 5d7, the 2d7, and the 7d7. The tower, worked on since last season and with some changes to the top group during the summer, required concentration, but reached the successful disassembly without major problems. With the work done, Figueres decided not to participate in the improvement round.

The third position went to the Castellers de Cerdanyola, one of the groups that left Torredembarra most satisfied. They started with a 2d7 that they had only successfully completed once before, in the year 2018. Although the structure rose slowly, the group from Cerdanyola managed to complete it. In the second round, they opted for the 4d7a, the first of the season. After an attempt at a 3d7a, the green-shirted group closed their performance with a 3d7. The result gave them third place and also the best performance in the group's history.

Behind them, Sarrià, Badalona, l’Esquerra de l’Eixample, Berga, and Caldes de Montbui finished tied with 1,665 points. Sarrià starred in one of the most celebrated moments of the day with the first 3d7a in their history. They also attempted the 4d8, but decided to dismantle it when the 'dosos' were being placed. They completed their performance with the 5d7 and the 7d7. For their part, Badalona completed the 5d7, the 7d7, and the 3d7a, while l’Esquerra de l’Eixample achieved the best performance of their career with the same program.

Berga and Caldes had difficulties with the 7d7, but they were finally able to complete it. Berga accompanied it with the 3d7a and the 5d7, while the group from Vallès Oriental unloaded the 5d7 and the first 3d7a of the season. For the latter, the day also marked the best performance in their history.

At the bottom of the classification, the Esperxats de l’Estany experienced a remarkable debut at the Competition. The group from Banyoles unloaded the 7d7, the 3d7a, and the 4d7a, and finished ninth with 1,615 points. Mollet was tenth with 1,525, after having completed the 3d7a, the 5d7, and the 3d7.

The Xiquets de Cambrils finished eleventh with 1,495 points in their return to the Competition after 29 years. They unloaded the 4d7a and the 5d7, but the 3d7a resisted them, and they finally opted for the 3d7. Poble Sec closed the classification with 1,380 points. After a good 4d7a, the 5d7 fell during the exit of the 'enxaneta'. The group reacted by subsequently completing the 4d7.

All in all, Torredembarra left a first day marked by debuts and a very tight classification. But above all, the great protagonists were the Castellers d'Esparreguera, who knew how to save their best card for the end and turned an unprecedented 'castell' into a historic victory. The Competition will now continue at the Tarraco Arena Plaça this coming weekend.