Eibar the Brave: The Extraordinary Rise of La Liga's Smallest Team

by Euan McTear

Sociedad Deportiva Eibar is the Basque side from a passionate soccer town one-third the size of the Camp Nou. Eibar the Brave tells the amazing Cinderella story of La Liga's smallest club, which has seen Barcelona and Real Madrid playing top-tier football at Ipurua, the 5000-capacity stadium that Eibar calls home. Promotion-party pitch invasions are not uncommon; but the night of May 25, 2014 saw a promotion with a difference, involving a wildly unorthodox club. There weren't enough fans to cover the pitch. The celebration was 45 minutes after the final whistle. The team was wearing their away kit despite having played at home. And Eibar could still potentially be relegated! Having followed Eibar and witnessed the madness first-hand, Euan McTear documents the club's first season in La Liga and discusses all the pieces put into place over the years to make 2014/15 a season like no other.

Genres: Football, Sports

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2015

Reviews

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful recounting of one of the smallest towns in Spain’s first season in the top division of La Liga. Highly recommended.

[Stephen McGovern · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read about Spanish football. The reader gets such an intimate account into what makes the Eibar story so special, and it's written wonderfully.

[Sie Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second journey with Euan (his first book), and yet again superbly well written and researched. You'll find yourself cheering, crying, kicking every ball and willing on every result, even though this is a historical anecdote and the outcomes are already known.

The story itself is one of David v Goliath, but with even the best will in the world some of the twists and turns are beyond the realms of an imaginative story (such as the financial matters). There is no denying what Eibar achieved was way beyond expectation, and this book perfectly captures the journey and sentiment, through the players, staff, fans and the wider Spanish population.

With flashbacks to earlier defining moments in the history of the club, Eibar the Brave presents a well rounded picture of where the club came from, how it defied the odds, and what it went on to achieve in that groundbreaking season. A great read for lovers of La liga, football and genuine underdog stories alike. I'm already hoping that the author adds more Spanish football books to his collection in the coming years.

[Rog the Jammy Dodge · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really warmed to the story of the small Spanish football club Eibar, their honest and homely ethos (maintained by owners, management, supporters and players alike) and commercial sense prevailing in a world of rampant egos and reckless excess. Much as I wanted to give the book more than 2 stars (as the improbable and heart warming story should be widely read), the author simply doesn’t sufficiently convey the emotion of their journey to the highest reaches of the Spanish league. Moreover, narrating the story through frequent flits back and forth in time only led to confusion, detracted from the build up of tension / emotion to key events, with no clear rationale apparent as to why this technique was employed so often in the first place.

[Jamie Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring underdog story of one of Spain’s smallest teams hidden away in the Basque Country that managed to reach the La Liga in 2014.

A very well written account of Eibar’s unlikely back-to-back promotions which saw them rise to the top table of Spanish football in 2014 despite the town being 1/3rd the size of the Camp Nou.

The book also describes their financial model and their hard working mentality which helps them not only be successful on the pitch but off it also. It’s the sort of fairytale story anybody can become invested in especially if you’re a huge football fan.

I would highly recommend this book!

[Samuel L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve run out of superlatives, there’s no word to describe the story of Eibar which has been put down so exceptionally good by Euan. I knew briefly about the previous season in prior to the 14/15 had turned out for them and there was a Scottish connection (due to a Football Manager blog😅). I think we need a vol.2, first stint back in the Segunda with a returning Gazika Garitano behind the bench what could possibly go wrong

[Kevin Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic story about the smallest side that were promoted to La Liga. The book.documents the first full season.at the top level and delves into the origins of the club itself and the ups and downs that they have faced.

I have admired Eibar's story since they were promoted and I keep an eye out for their results over the season.

[Charlotte Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible underdog story about the ‘little’ team that could. It is so hard in todays society and in modern football to find a club which sticks to its principles and morality, yet Eibar stay true to themselves and so do the dedicated fans. It’s safe to say there have been many trials and tribulations for Eibar, but regardless, they continue to inspire and motivate the community and fan base.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting story, one I'm glad to have read, but quite a difficult book, given how much it jumps back and forth in time, making it difficult to keep track of when exactly the author is writing about

[Brenton Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, fun story about a wonderful soccer team in Spain. Far too much game detail, unless you love soccer and follow La Liga. Makes me want to go to the stadium.

[PRAVEEN GEORGE · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inside look into La Liga's smallest club. The book switches between the club's past and the present well enough to keep the reader engaged. Overall, a good read for sports fans.