The Club

A STORY OF SEVILLISTA PASSION FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

28/09/2017
Shota Sato and Tatsuya Sampei are an example that Sevilla FC can break down all kinds of barriers

The two stars of this story are the two luckiest members of the Japanese Sevilla fan-club, who one day, years ago, began a very special relationship with the Nervionenses in a country where Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United have traditionally been the ones to open up international markets. It is a story of Sevillista passion which has its origins in the Land of the Rising Sun, specifically Osaka.

Years ago they started their journey to Europe. England and Spain were their main destinations but among their stops was Sevilla. They fell in love with the city and were heartbroken by the death of Antonio Puerta. They were able to see the club's training grounds and the unforgettable atmosphere of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. They knew, after those days in the city, that their team would be Sevilla FC. They never let the bright lights of Madrid or Barcelona - with their countless titles and honours - seduce them; Sevilla lit a fire inside, a fire at the heart of their story.  

Imagine the reaction of the two superfans, when the two found out their favourite Spanish side would tour their native country this summer. Despite the coincidence, it was anything but plain-sailing. First they had to free up their diaries for the two weeks Sevilla would be in Japan, then make the over 300-mile trip from their home town of Yokohama to Osaka... They even made it to Narita in the last leg of the tour, where they saw Sevilla face Kashima Antlers before seeing the team off at the airport. Their endless dedication was worthy of any club's admiration. The two waited every day for the team to arrive at training and even waited for them to leave. Morning, noon or night, rain or shine. They were even starting to win the sympathy of the players, who got to know them on a first name basis, took photos with them and signed autographs.

The group was made up of four Sevillistas; however, two of them, Shota Sato and Tatsuya Sampei, traded the 300 mile trip for a 7,456 mile one, flying to the Andalucian capital to see their Sevilla FC once again. Making one stop to see their compatriot Takeshi Inui in action, their trip had one clear aim: see the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on a night of football. And they did just that and more - attending Sevilla's 1-0 win against Las Palmas, waiting outside training the next day and travelling to Madrid that weekend to see Sevilla play in the Wanda Metropolitano. They even stayed in the same hotels as the team just to be closer to their idols. 

Happy to have fulfilled their dream of returning to Sevilla and soaking up some Sevillismo - despite a loss against Atlético - Shota and Tatsuya made their long journey back home with smiles on their faces, carrying backpacks full of not just clothes but memories to share with their Japanese friends. During their stay in Sevilla, the club did all it could to get the two superfans as close to their heroes as possible.