Israel Filial Greets Daniel Passarella

By: Christian | July 9th, 2008

Our friends over at the River Plate Israel Filial celebrated what may have been the group’s biggest moment yet in its brief history, when they welcomed none other than Daniel Passarella, River playing and coaching legend, to Tel Aviv last week.

With El Kaiser in town to accept the title of World Ambassador for Peace from the Peres Center for Peace, the first South American to receive such an honor, the filial took this once in a lifetime opportunity to welcome the former Argentina 1978 World Cup Captain, whose name is also part of the group’s official name, as a special guest. Hours prior to his arrival at Tel Aviv’s international airport, over 40 members had already gathered in anticipation of their hero wearing a variety of River kits from over the years, singing chants (“Ole, ole, ole, oleeeeeeeee, Danieeeeeeel, Danieeeeeeel!”), and jumping up and down as though they were back at the Monumental. When at last El Kaiser appeared, they unfurled the offical River Plate filial banner to greet him, and presented to him a flag of Israel the group had signed as a gift.

Later that evening, Passarella was the guest of honor at a group dinner, where a very gracious Daniel spent hours signing autographs, posing for pictures, and regailing the members with stories of the famous 1978 World Cup win, as well as his thoughts on the current state of River.

Aside from accepting his honorary title, Passarella also used the trip to announce his intention to run for club President in 2009, a position currently held by José Aguilar, and promising to prepare for the next election in the same way during his years as player and coach.

Congratulation to the Israel Filial, and many thanks to President Martin Jona for sending me pictures and video of the event.

Category: Argentina, Fans, Former Greats, Team News, miscellaneous

Tags: Argentina, Fans, Former Greats, miscellaneous, Team News

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• Martin |  July 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pm

  
  
  

  Thanks Christian, excellent article and very accurate narration of the event!!

  Having Passarella here in Israel was a dream that came true for each one of our group members.

  We look forward to greeting Daniel in Israel again soon!!

  Martin – Filial River Plate – Israel

  Posted from United States

  

• Nolan |  July 10th, 2008 at 9:37 am

  
  
  

  Congrats guys, meeting Passarella would be amazing…

  Posted from United States

  

• André |  July 14th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

  
  
  

  Gracias amigo.

  Posted from United States

  

• Mark |  July 17th, 2008 at 9:24 am

  
  
  

  Good stuff guys, looks like a great day.

  Christian, saddened today with the news the Pablo Aimar has signed for Benfica, would have loved to see him spearhead the charge for the Apertura for River this season. €6.5 million euros.

  Posted from United States

  

• Christian |  July 19th, 2008 at 10:19 am

  
  
  

  Hey Mark, good to hear from you as always. I would have loved to see Pablito back on the squad, but with all the rumors I’ve heard over the years of players like Sorin, D’Allesandro, Crespo, Ayala, and God knows who else returning to River, I never put much faith in Aimar coming back.

  Bummed about Beasley out again with injury. When does the SPL kick off?

  Posted from United States

  

• Imperador |  July 19th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

  
  
  

  Hola, Soy Incha del Oporto (Portugal)

  Visitem mi espacio : LegionofDragons.blogspot.com

  El Oporto es el clube que mais investe en mercado Argentino.

  Lucho gonzalez es nuestro Comandante!!!

  Se quiere parcerias hable en mi blog

  Posted from Portugal

  

• Mark |  July 20th, 2008 at 4:03 am

  
  
  

  SPL kicks off August 9th and it can’t come soon enough, i hate the close season.

  I see Fernando Cavenaghi is linked with a £6m move to Celtic, i really hope that is just a rumour! >:(

  Posted from United States

  

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