Hundreds of Baxi Manresa basketball fans revived the 'Red Tide' phenomenon on Sunday, marching through Manresa, Central Catalonia, in a large rally to support their team. The event, which included a communal meal and a parade, aimed to energise players before a significant game.
The 'Red Tide' first emerged almost four years ago in Bilbao, when Baxi Manresa supporters filled the streets to cheer their team towards a European title, which they narrowly missed. This latest gathering marked the second 'Fan Day', following an initial event last season before a match against Andorra. The idea, originally conceived by a few supporters, has since been adopted by the Grada d'Animació fan group and received backing from the club and its players.
Player Shows Appreciation
Retin Obasohan, a Baxi Manresa player, visited Cal Xavi, the day's operational centre, to greet fans and express his gratitude for their support. The event was planned weeks ago, when the match against Burgos seemed more decisive than it ultimately became, following recent victories against Joventut and Bilbao.
Fans travelled to Cal Xavi using shuttle buses provided from Congost, where they could leave their private vehicles. Three buses departed at 12:30pm, 1pm, and 1:30pm, transporting supporters to 'les Bases'. There, attendees enjoyed a communal lunch, raffles for merchandise donated by players, and the presence of 'gegants' (giants, traditional Catalan festival figures).
Rally Through Manresa Streets
Around 3pm, the parade started, moving down towards Passeig de Pere III, taking the Carretera de Cardona, and continuing towards Pont Nou before reaching the Congost pavilion. Several hundred people followed the route, arriving at the pavilion less than half an hour before the match. Officials said the celebration was a success, with fans hoping the team's performance would match their enthusiasm.
The club will now look to build on this renewed fan engagement, potentially integrating 'Fan Day' as a regular fixture in their calendar. The strong show of support could also influence future attendance and community involvement, reinforcing the bond between the team and its dedicated fanbase.
