Julio Pereyra was born in the summer of 1956 and so his parents called him Julio Pereyra.
Pereyra, of course, would be his last name anyway, by Don Mario, his father. In contrast, in July called for the exquisite July Avila, the center-of Union in those years battling the hard-Primera B championship of Argentine football.
Ávila That summer was near the end of his second season in Union and came to be three-time champion of Colombia, Millonarios. Don Mario admired him for being the first player to come into categories for promotion to be summoned to the Argentine national team. Besides, because well-played, and the team of your choice.
But Julio Pereyra in his neighborhood, Barranquitas West, not Julio Pereyra. To their neighbors, friends and fans that go to the head of Lee Avenue and Stadium Plans April 15, is simply "Avilita." By Avila, of course, his old idol.
Avilita, following their father's command, is hopelessly Tatengue. Maybe too much. Although no longer as a player, after a short dark passage through the lower divisions.
Avilita What is the membership of the board, the bar and the street, and yesterday was the school, pastures and all the time, occupied and free.
At age 23, Avilita has no job, although his mother is also proud that "the baby does not have time to help his father in the grocery store," as he tells his neighbors.
course Mario was left without an assistant for a few months because Avilita "forgot to calm down," as explained to anyone who would listen his mother, during a fight between bar when he broke a bottle over his head to one Racing fan after a game played by the last date of the Metropolitan Zone Championship 1979.
"The guy was saved," narrated Avilita mom, "but occasionally still comes the commissioner of the district to see if you find the baby. "
Avilita, while the bottles at passing into oblivion, had to ask for refuge to his cousin Daniel, who is from Columbus, but who gladly welcomed him into her house located opposite the Plaza Flores, diagonal to the church in Buenos Aires still tortured by host and chief injured in a terrorist state.
The early days of his "exile" held in a fun environment for the Corrientes street lights, a visit to La Bombonera, and good relationship with his cousin. In addition, the Union had been eliminated from the Metropolitan and did not need his presence in Stadium Avenue López y Planes.
The first problem came with the start of the National Championship. Knew he could not travel to Santa Fe to avoid being intercepted by police in his city. And to make matters worse, the Union would only have three games in Buenos Aires against Independiente, Ferro and Velez.
And everything is complicated by the successful campaign of the Tate. Avilita felt that he was not seen life in Union on April 15. And being away from their land caused a swell of passion, to the point that did not remove the red and white shirt, even for washing, and had no other topic of conversation.
Daniel did not take very seriously their hype fan, but liked to talk football with him. And was surprised Avilita ability to always find a new theme to keep talking about Union.
"You who would be willing to do if you ensure that the Union will be champion?" Said Daniel one night. "Whatever," replied Avilita that after listening was thinking of that phrase. "Anything? "I'd do anything?" He asked.
He lay thinking about it, how important it was Union his life, when suddenly the wind force opened the window and caused a weird feeling, like fear.
After closing the two panes of the window turned to lie and tried to sleep, but was unsuccessful. "Are you awake, Dani," he asked. "Aha," replied his cousin, using a tone that made him assume that he was willing to keep talking, even though it was midnight.
"Vos, of Columbus, you sell your soul to the devil?" He asked, naturally, as one hour consultation.
"What? But stop saying bullshit Avilita. It's too late to ask such a thing. Do not save your breath by saying something. Did you do that? "Responded Daniel.
"I, of Union, yes," she said firmly Avilita, annoyed by the grumbling of his cousin.
"Well dear, I make you easy, now let me sleep and tomorrow, with more time, try to contact him. Arrange an appointment with the Devil. "
Daniel unwittingly expressed an idea that his cousin was great.
And the next day Avilita got up unusually early, went to the kiosk Rivadavia Avenue and bought the Daily Chronicle.
As he walked, went to the back pages, the classified ads. Read more, until one caught his attention:
"Professor Sonia, parapsychologist. Show the hidden face of your enemy and all I can. Never fails. No charge until you finish with the work required total success. "
scored on a paper the address and phone number and began to walk Rivadavia toward the center. Thinking about the way he was determined to give, almost did not notice the many blocks he had traveled, and was surprised coming to Plaza Once.
then crossed Rivadavia, then Jujuy Avenue and entered the bar La Perla. Think again, this time squeezing between your hands a cup of coffee, staring. I was convinced. He left a note on the table, looked at the paper and memorized the address: Pueyrredón 347, second floor, apartment 9.
rang the intercom and from above they opened the door without asking who he was. He climbed the stairs to the second floor to his care, even in the hallway, a middle- estatura, con el pelo cubierto de caspa y vestido con una camisa azul muy gastada, aunque no tanto como el pantalón gris. De todas maneras, Avilita calculó que sumando los años de la camisa con los del pantalón, no llegaban a igualar la vejez de los zapatos negros que, con una pequeña hebilla deslucida cada uno, ocultaban los pies del recepcionista.
Al hombre, cuando hablaba, se le entendía bastante poco. Tal vez porque no abría la boca lo suficiente, aunque era entendible esa actitud porque disimulaba la ausencia de dos dientes debajo de un bigote finito.
El hombrecito lo guió hasta el departamento y luego lo condujo hasta una habitación en penumbras, dominada por una mesa round and large with a scarlet cloth like velvet, but of inferior quality.
Avilita sat up, stared with curiosity and some concern about him and waited patiently for the arrival of Professor Sonia. The woman, 50 years, appeared a few minutes later, behind him, then passed through a blue curtain.
The woman was wearing a bright red shirt, whose amplitude was trying unsuccessfully to hide a huge breasts and a black skirt that reached to his ankles. I wore the hair loose and Avilita found attractive sense of movement, it seemed, her hair falling freely on the shoulders of Sonia, as long as it was black.
"I hear you son. What is the purpose of your visit? "She said with a tone that was intended to be maternal.
"Mine is simple," rushed Avilita. "I want to make a pact with the Devil."
Psychic not hide the shock that triggered the event to hear a request like that. But he recovered and, speaking with sharp breaks, wanted to find out the reason of a desire for these features. He took care, also not to name the Devil, something which he was notorious Avilita, and even fun.
"What disturbs you enough to want to agree with that person? Did you so desperate? ".
Without giving the importance that the conversation if he gives the woman replied Avilita what to him seemed very normal, "I want to sell my soul for a union of Santa Fe, my dear Union, exit champion National's 79. Nothing disturbs me, and yes, I'm desperate for that to happen. "
Doña Sonia, as he had confidently called the boy, smiled nervously and did not believe the seriousness of the request. And it emboldened, "Look baby, my time is worth and I'm not for jokes. Is your soul in exchange for leaving Union champion? Go to tease people elsewhere, "he said, as he rose from his chair.
"No, no, no," replied Avilita, taking her arm. "You're not going anywhere. No kidding. I do what I said and you, ma'am, I have to help. " She
with signs of annoyance on his face, sat down and almost bellowed, "I am a professional and I have responsibilities. Or you do not you believe that parapsychologists are accountable for what we do? I can not help with this because, obviously, you have no idea of \u200b\u200bwhat you're asking. You have no idea. "
The boy showed its ugly head there, often hidden: it revealed the violent, arrogant. "Well ma'am, I will be clear. I'll sell my soul or not you help me. But if I deny the way, unfortunately I have to include a clause in your contract. I do not want that, but ...".
woman's face became a strange, disfigured. The terror dominated his body, and began costing spun phrases, and to move normally. "Okay, agreed. "I'll give you something, a book, but you have to swear to me you will never set foot in this place, and do not hurt me ever. "
"I swear by my mother," the tute. "Or better, I swear by Union," he said as he winked, unable to simulate also nervousness.
Psychic crossed the room, opening out the same shade that had allowed him to enter, and returned a minute later. He had in his hands a very old book, surrounded by a rosary of white beads, and her fingers pressed against his chest, holding a gleaming silver crucifix.
He stared at Avilita, beckoned him to stretch his arms, and deposited in his hand derecha el libro, sin dejar ni el crucifijo ni el rosario. Al soltarlo, cuando él comenzaba a hojearlo, la mujer se persignó tres veces, mientras le decía que se fuera en ese instante. El muchacho acató el pedido y se despidió con una sonrisa entre agradecida y desafiante.
Possessed neither more nor less than a diabolical manual. And he could avoid a chill run over the back.
The book had no release date and not kept the lid. So starting on page three, which contained only the word "grimoire." Avilita not know what it meant.
Anxious, he looked for a ceremony that will indicate how to sell your soul. And even had time to be disappointed, because many of the pages were in a language they did not know. "It must be Latin," ventured to herself.
Until you came to the party excited. Which began with an invocation to Satan.
decided to leave that for another time, slowly took the coffee, then ordered another. Union thought in how well they started the contest, how wonderful it would be him champion. He thought of his soul. He wondered what it was if his eyes could not see the glory Union. No response.
For a few days pored over the book he had provided the witch Sonia, to learn each step of a ceremony to Satan. Then spent an afternoon to visit Santeria, buying some items that were mentioned as vital.
one thing I actually wanted to sacrifice his soul for a football team, the same colors which his father had instilled from birth, but it was useless to deceive himself. The fear, at times unwieldy, was in it as much as his blood.
Meanwhile, he prepared for the occasion. Decided that concrete expression to the action in a football stadium at midnight. Ferro chose for its proximity and because I knew him well. In addition, the walls were easy to skip, unlike others such as Velez or the River.
At this time of year, or what mattered most, at that National Championship, Union was heading towards qualification for the decisive phase. But the struggle was intense, so he thought there was no longer room for doubt or for wasting time.
and decided the time had arrived, right on the night of November 30, 1979. He loaded
the book in his backpack evil, a candle and a black carpet, and a tablecloth with satanic signs that much it cost to obtain. It also provided an image of Baphomet, a skull who stole the Chacarita cemetery, a dagger and a bell. Failed between required elements, a silver chalice, for cost reasons and because no one dared to steal from the church of Flores, located diagonally across the house of his cousin.
came to the stadium about ten minutes before midnight. The place was deserted and the moon, very small, only allowed to look at their hands. "Better, he thought, unable to escape a strong sense of dread that, however, prevented him from moving forward.
stretched the cloth on a board that used as an altar, and there put all the utensils. On one side sat the black carpet carefully. Once everything was ready, he felt like sign of the cross, but did not. He smiled to think she was lucky to not have started the ceremony when that idea assailed his mind. He undressed and he felt ready. Deep breath and began with the invocation:
"In Nomine dei Nostri Luciferi Excelsia SATAN"
Then, his voice cracking with panic and a deep pain in the stomach, followed by the phrase I had memorized the manual: " On behalf of Satan, who rules the world and is the King of the Earth, I ordered Forces of Darkness I give all the infernal powers ...".
His body, well shaped, arched and seemed ready to break. Satan had chosen to go to bare it impossible to be done in a black robe with hood. No bathing in scented oils obviated Lebanon and admitted the fast and the prohibition of alcohol.
Following the ritual, stood before the altar and lit the black candle. Then he took the bell with his right hand and rang nine times.
repeated the invocation, and then recited a new sentence:
"In the name of Satan, Lord of Earth King of the World, ordered the forces of darkness that discharge their power from beneath me. Open the Gates of Hell wide and come out of the abyss to greet me as your brother and friend. Give me the indulgences of which I speak. " There
raised his head and closed eyes said the reason he was willing to give his soul
" For all the gods of the underworld, I order what I say has to happen. .. Union de Santa Fe That was champion of the 79 National Football Tournament. For this please give my soul to the cause of Satan. Just me reserve the right to waive this covenant one minute before the concrete. So be it. "
then asked the devil: " Come and meet your names expressing my wishes." He looked to the South and named Satan, then turned towards the east and named Lucifer, later moved north and Belial said, to end facing west invoking Leviathan.
With the presence of four of the Crown Princes of Hell, symbolizing each of the elements fire, air, land and water, extended his greetings to each cardinal point using the dagger. Then, feeling better, and without pain in the stomach, he joined the party in which, according to the book, he could speak freely to Satan.
recalled that he should not deceive the powers of darkness, so he consented to admit her fear. His condition was drowsiness. However, remember each step of the ritual and painstakingly accomplished. Thus, he declared his alliance with Satan, said he made his name as part of himself and proud of belonging said.
then asked "satanic intelligence and reason" and guided by the Sendero Siniestro. He also asked open the doors of Magic and teach Infernal Wisdom Antigua.
Before the final invocation, bowed to Satan, Lucifer, Belial, Leviathan, and all spirits with Name or No-Name of the Depths of the Abyss. When he said the phrase "now with me, fell exhausted, and slept. Just woke up at dawn, when the noise of the city began with sirens from factories called their workers.
He rose, dressed quickly and put everything in the backpack he had brought. Jumped to the sidewalk, across Avellaneda Street and a kiosk that opened its doors recently bought a packet of cigarettes. He lit one and started to walk to Flores. It seemed nice to do, and felt very good, as if nothing had happened.
Two days later he played the last date of the first phase of the National Championship. Union failed to qualify for the final round of the contest to reach second in Pool A with two points less than Velez and the same amount as Ferro and San Martín de Tucumán, computers that have exceeded by goal difference. Avilita intensely experienced that day and at night went to bed exhausted, but with great joy.
heard someone gave his nickname and asked him a question. "Avilita, are you happy?". Before answering it said confused. I did not know if he was awake or if it was a dream. "Who is it?" He said. In response
found a shocking rebuke from the tone in which it was said and what the boy knew before the end to hear: "Did not recognize me, Avilita?."
"Satan?" He said, already awake and sitting up in bed. While his heart seemed ready to break the chest inside, I felt such fear, looked toward Avilita his cousin's bed and was surprised that he slept so peacefully.
"I just came to say hello, after a big day for both, as was the classification, then the voice said. That phrase made him realize the boy that the scope of the covenant were in full force. And the light of dawn found him before he could sleep even a minute.
Avilita traveled to Santa Fe for the first time since the fight with the fans of Racing, to watch the quarter-final match against Talleres de Córdoba. The district commissioner no longer wanted and his mother found him strange. Avilita not excited too much for either fact, but was delirious with the win by 3 to 0 that got on albiazul Union.
And of course a week later went to Cordoba, where Union lost 2 to 0, but won the ticket to the semifinals to have scored one goal more than its rival in the series.
On the way back to Santa Fe Avilita paid the consequences of accumulated fatigue asleep on the bus. Although few miles after leaving his sleep was interrupted. "Avilita, do you like the way to reach the semifinals? Do you have? "He heard in the distance. "I wanted to get whatever. And I had no I knew that this would happen, "he said. And then, although it cost, went back to sleep. Different
was the arrival in the final, because Union comfortably won the two games against Atletico Tucuman, and the same result: 2 to 0. In addition, after winning first as a visitor, the definition was a party for the people tatengue, smoothly. Similarly, Avilita was visited by Satan, but the boy only thought to reach the final and almost did not flinch.
All I had in mind was to win the final River, he came to his body after defeating the "rogue" of Rosario Central, and watch their team champion. Although it will be the soul. At least until that time had not experienced desires to review the pact. Far had been that.
The December 19, 1979, one of the hottest nights to be remembered in Santa Fe in recent decades, the stadium April 15 was a real boiler. By temperature and the passion that the supporters exposed. The Union, with major presence, as the flag was an illusion and virginal desire: to win a championship. Something the "millionaires", directed by Angel Labruna, enjoying every so often.
Disposal field, led by Pablo de las Mercedes Cárdenas, remained remembered for years by the uproar it caused in the vicinity of the stadium. The inside, however, had no comparison. And the old members of the grandstand roof risk that this show will not be broken, at least at that stage.
River, with its shining stars, took a draw to Buenos Aires. Carlos Alonso Norberto Mazzoni and were responsible for scoring the goals. And although the distribution of points at home, the Santa Fe team was, for the first time since its founding in 1907, 90 minutes from the greatest glory possible.
The rematch was played on December 23 in a starry, moonless night. "Similar to the covenant," Avilita thought as he settled on top of the podium Centennial Monumental stadium. Julio Pereyra
not live another day. Got up late, with a sense of expectation that refused to leave, and to prevent a bite. She could hardly eat a sandwich around the stadium. And when installed in the popular visitor and cost him his thoughts. He knew, though, that was on the eve of one of the most important moments of his life, but did not understand much beyond that.
reacted when the teams were on the court. Union came in first, with players taking on their faces the historic moment that they were going to star. Avilita, from above, recognized Cardenas, Telch, a Regenhardt, and his favorite: Fernando Ali Turk.
Then came the turn of the River, a combination of figures that seemed invincible. Were the World Cup Fillol, Alonso and Passarella, but also the Jack Black Jack Lopez, Ramon Diaz and Luque.
"These are the selection. How do we beat them? "Said a man about 50 years, located on the side of Avilita. The boy smiled and said: "The only way is to make a pact with the Devil."
The man, wearing a brown shirt, walked the radio transmitting the game inches from his right ear and stared at him, disapproving the sentence. He said nothing, but neither was needed. Avilita felt violated their privacy, open, and looked down. The man, meanwhile, went back to fit the radio in his ear and forgot the matter.
The game was not as analysts had tried to predict. River did not look like the creative machine and fantasy football that day as advertised. On the contrary. Alonso did not touch and therefore the Union defense spent no surprises expected.
Moreover, Telch, Pitarch and Alberto, the Union midfielders, they managed to control his renowned fighting rivals and became partner. No great interest, lackluster, but a couple.
standing Avilita watched with a lump in my throat. Union knew he would win the match and the championship, and I thought that would be the happiest moment of his life, but then live a thousand years. View your team champion was a dream to none.
But when averaging the first time began to feel ill, to the point that should sit in the stands and almost did not see the game until the final stage. Stomach reminded him that the pain exists and can be intense, as that night in the field of Ferro.
entire halftime sat without moving, without speaking to anyone. He thought of his soul. "Is there a soul? How I can know? ". Avilita was undergoing a tortuous review of decisions. His conscience was cornered, and the topic was the pact.
With the return of the equipment and restart the game, Avilita tried to concentrate. But it was difficult. He sweated his hands, found it difficult to fix on the lawn, and to differentiate their players.
At one point, around 20 minutes, succeeded. It was in a Union advance, when Ali, escaping through the left side, produced a medium-risk action in favor of Santa Fe. Avilita had a dual sense, unknown. I wanted the striker scored the goal, but in a surprise second doubting it.
then desperate to discover who really did not want a Union got the victory and the championship. "A draw is fine. Decent runner, we are a provincial team, they are like the national team, we become happy, "he thought.
But he realized that it was too late for that. His soul was engaged and going to Union be a champion. Unless undo the pact, but did not know how.
Their desperation was growing as the minutes passed. Union coach striker Ali replaced by the "crazy" Edward Stehlik. "Luckily," he thought Avilita. If anyone could make a goal for Union in the final, that was Ali. But not enough with that. Needed to break the covenant and did not know the procedure, if it existed. He recalled that the ceremony had reserved the right to waive a minute before they materialize.
And that final minute was coming. Avilita fell down and firmly tighten the eyes closed, seeking concentration. The stadium was silent and just listened to the radio story that brought the brown man's shirt, which was still at his side.
Avilita recalled satanic invocation, but chose to make the sign of the Cross. In his mind mixing their own voice with the radio reporter: "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. " "Monumental in the final minute and attacked Union. Note that there is danger. " "My God, I apologize for having so far from you." "Get Stehlik on the right side and faces toward the area." "I ask you for welcoming me grace and so put me safe from the pact. " "Stehlik beat Hector Lopez and was hand in hand with Fillol, attention will define ...". "My God, I renounce all evil and show me your son."
Avilita had no words. Had done everything in his power and did not know whether he had actually broken the satanic. He stood and watched the River area. And did not need to listen to the radio. Their eyes were watching Fillol Stehlik faced. The world champion archer was checked and the front of Union was on its feet the greatest joy possible for his family. Avilita watched ...
topped with the right leg. The ball went searching the net hard opponent. Miles of Santa Fe drive with their eyes from the gallery visitor. In that action is played many things, including prestige, money, sporting glory. Avilita also knew that his soul was at stake. Ubaldo Fillol
was without doubt the best goalkeeper in the world, and many were encouraged to appoint him as the greatest in history. His performance in World Cup 78 had been consecration. But Stehlik from firing the ball just seemed to hinder its flight within the arc.
But, in a huge tackle, guaranteed zero at the fence and he assured the championship to River, who celebrated because the regulation gave double value to the goal scored by Alonso in the first leg, having been recorded in field visitor. "The capped Fillol was superhuman," said the reporter of the radio. Avilita, had not heard the cries of his fellow tribune, was sure he had.
The game ended and there was the celebration of the partial riverplatenses, which carry her to their heroes. Avilita noted without much interest, almost painless. It was as if asleep, but analyzed all that had lived in recent weeks. He wondered, as the stadium was dark, if he had succeeded in breaking the covenant or Fillol was so great to go against the Devil himself.
pulled the pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Was wrinkled but still took one and lit it. Took a deep breath, to feel the smoke in the stomach. Around still hear the horns of celebration and walked slowly away from the stadium. When you reach the corner, thinking what group to take to get to the house of his cousin, was reflecting on and television cameras at the main entrance of the Monumental. And quiet as it was, came to gawk. A journalist was reporting to Fillol, the last of the players retiring.
Avilita stared at him, and goalkeeper realized that. Then the boy came up, hugged him and whispered: "Duck, God commanded you." Then he left.
The Fillol reporter asked what he had said one fan, that he assumed the River, and he repeated the phrase Avilita.
"Must be nice to feel so much love," he told the columnist the goalkeeper. Fillol
settled bag hanging from his right shoulder and stared at his interlocutor. His face showed fatigue and satisfaction. Then said: "The fans are too generous to us. This is just football, and they will appreciate a championship and if they bring back the soul ...".
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