Maduro: "The 2008 Copa del Rey final was a beautiful, memorable day"

Twelve years on from Valencia CF's Copa del Rey final win over Getafe, one of the members of the 2008 squad, Hedwiges Maduro, spoke to VCF Media via videocall.

The former defender, now coach of Almere City FC Under-21s, is full of memories of a fantastic day.

"It was a very special day -and even more so now. Now you think about the past, and winning a trophy -two cups in two years with Valencia CF- is something that you look back on as something very nice and very special. I have the shirt from back then hung up on my wall. It was a beautiful, memorable day," he explained.

Maduro missed the final itself through injury, but felt just as much tension watching the game from the stands.

"I never like getting injured, and especially not for a final. I like to help the team, and I couldn't do that on that day. You watch the game very nervously, but we were much better than Getafe, so we really felt that we were going to win."

"Always after your career finishes you think about the nice things that happened. For me, Valencia CF are a club for whom I have the most affection. Valencia is also a family for me: I have a lot of friends at the club, and friends who live in Valencia. I have a lot of fondess for the city and for the club."

The Dutchman also commented on the current Valencia CF side, whom he has seen in action at Mestalla this season on one of his visits.

“When there is a change of coach, things are a little different and it's always a bit more difficult to work on a plan. I saw that the team were growing in the most recent games that I watched, but everything has changed with the coronavirus and it's difficult to say where the team will go. I see a Valencia CF side with a lot of potential."