Oriente Petrolero - History

 Amateurism was born in Santa Cruz in 1917, a long ninety-three years ago and its first champion was Franco, being the runner-up the team called Mundial. Oriente Petrolero was born as a club -in the context of the Bolivian oil boom and the importance of Santa Cruz for YPFB's production- together with other "petroleros" such as Chaco Petrolero in La Paz, Petrolero in Cochabamba and Oeste Petrolero in Sucre. Its birth certificate dates back to November 5, 1955 by the hand of its first president Mr. Elmer Saucedo, fifty-five years ago. There is no doubt that of the saga of the 'petrolero' teams in Bolivia, Oriente is by far the most successful.

Once promoted to the first division of Santa Cruz soccer in 1957, it began its brilliant career.

A digression is in order here. It is often mentioned that everything prior to the Liga was amateurism, but this is not the case. Bolivian professional soccer (i.e. a spectacle with clubs that pay salaries to their players) was born on May 25, 1950. First in La Paz. In 1954 Oruro and Cochabamba entered professionalism. In 1965 Santa Cruz did so, followed by Sucre, Potosí, Tarija and Beni. The only department without professional soccer is Pando.

Just four years after its creation, Oriente was the Santa Cruz amateur champion in 1959 and also won the title in 1961, 1962 and 1964. Four times champion of Santa Cruz and once runner-up (1960).

Then came professionalism in local soccer. Santa Cruz played its first professional tournament in 1965, that year Destroyers was consecrated as the first Santa Cruz professional champion, but without any doubt Oriente became the most winning team in the Santa Cruz championship until the creation of the League. It was champion in 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1976. It is the only five-time champion of that stage of local professionalism. Seven Santa Cruz titles and as if that were not enough, it was runner-up three times in 1965, 1966 and 1975. As a result, Oriente did not win any awards in only two championships, 1968 and 1974.

After that, the albiverdes continued to win prizes in the Simón Bolívar National Championship. While professionalism had been limited to La Paz, Cochabamba and Oruro in the 1950-1959 period, the Simón Bolívar National Championship was created in 1960, bringing together teams from seven of the nine departments. In that national professional tournament, Oriente was the first team from Santa Cruz to win a national title, perhaps the most endearing in its history, that of 1971, which inaugurated its fundamental role as one of the great Bolivian teams of all time. That title, which ironically it disputed until the end against another oil team, Chaco de La Paz (which was runner-up), was won with outstanding figures such as Miguel Antelo himself, its current and successful president, Ladislao Jiménez, Jorge Campos, Rolando Justiniano, René Domingo Taritolay, Dedé and Toninho, among others. Of the Bolivian players who were part of the team, many were stars of our national team in the seventies. But at that time they also won two national sub-championships, in 1972 and 1976.

Once in the League, Oriente was the protagonist of 15 tournaments. Here we enter the 'official history'. Oriente was champion in 1979, 1990, 2001 and twice in 2010. If '71 was the sweetest moment, '77 was probably the most bitter. It was the first year of the League and in a final in Cochabamba they lost the first league title to The Strongest by 3 to 1, it was the Tigre of Jorge Carlos Lattini and Ovidio Mezza....

But what few remember is that the Albiverdes have achieved no less than twelve runner-up finishes, the aforementioned 1977 and those of 1984, 1986, 1987, 1987, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007 Apertura and 2010 Apertura.

Curiously, because of those incomprehensible things that the League has, the refinery team has a title that nobody knows if it is official or not for this computation, the so-called Winter Championship of 2010, which would be good to know what formal category the League gives it in the history of its championships. In my opinion it should be computed among its official titles.

This adds up to five league titles (one that is in "limbo") and twelve subtitles.

Cañada Strongest - Great Bolivian victory in the Chaco War

 A large number of players, members and directors of The Strongest club fought during the war with Paraguay between 1932 and 1935. By 1933, 600 members of this very paceñísima institution were on the battle front. At the outbreak of the Chaco War, in July 1932, the championship of La Paz Football Association was at the end of its 1st. The Strongest was one point behind in 2nd place, so the Central Council of the association decided to suspend the championship and award the year's title to Bolívar and the sub-championship to The Strongest, which, like the other institutions, joined the national effort, sending players, members and directors to the battle front. By 1933, The Strongest club had more than 1,500 members, including ladies, gentlemen, youth and children.

Of these, 600 left for the sands of Chaco, joining the First Army Corps. They did so not in auxiliary services, but in the front line. Later they would continue to join in similar numbers until the cessation of hostilities. The publication Semana Gráfica, in issue number 24 (April 8, 1933), made a tribute to The Strongest on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, highlighting how the club contributed to the war campaign with the human support of directors, players, fans, and partners.

In the Secretariat of The Strongest club located in Cólon and Comercio streets, living the moment with singular patriotism, it was inaugurated, 'La correspondencia del soldado', to collaborate with prisoners of war and relatives of officers and soldiers. - 89- -It was headed by Don Benito Sagárnaga, a singular man and outstanding stronguista.

In that sense, according to his records, it can be pointed out that up to July 1933, between letters and cards, more than 450 requests had been dispatched. These, as can be understood, came from people unable to do so personally, and wishing to inquire about the health or whereabouts of their sons, brothers or husbands who were in the line of fire. Benito pointed out that they did it absolutely free of charge, providing, in addition, paper and obituaries that bore our emblem, splitting up certificates and requests to the General Staff, etc.

In an interview for La Semana Gráfica, made by the correspondent Chasqui, Benito Sagárnaga said very enthusiastically: "Thousands of letters have been sent to date and our radius of action does not only include the Chaco; we also maintain our correspondence to the prisoners held by Paraguay. These letters, like all of them, bear our seal. You can see the satisfaction that this emblem must give to the stronguista in foreign lands". The purpose of the soldier's correspondence was also to help the wounded and sick.

To this work was added the fundraising that was done among the affiliates, organizing several kermes and social activities to collect funds, which were later destined to help the Bolivian combatants.

Among the outstanding atigrados players, members and directors who marched to the conflict were Captain Víctor Hugo Estrada Cárdenas and Lieutenant José Rosendo Bullaín, who was flag bearer and senior brigadier of the Military College, whose soccer career is similar to Estrada's. Meanwhile, Colonel Luis Emilio Aguirre was the first fallen in Boquerón. Lieutenant Lucio Vila was also another stronguista fallen in the battlefields. Lieutenant Colonel José Ayoroa, considered one of the best military men the Army ever had, stood out. They were joined by Carlos Constantino Noya and second lieutenant Carlos Zalles Guerra, a member of The Strongest who fell in combat. The same fate befell Adrián Murguía Vargas and Pedro Escalante, distinguished stronguistas.

Among the names that also stand out is that of Emilio Estrada, captain of the first division soccer team. Also not to be forgotten are Second Lieutenant Severo Medrano, Lieutenant Luis Peña, Luis Daza Aparicio, Hugo Gamarra, Alfredo Pascoe, Lisímaco Gutiérrez, Julio Zuazo Quintanilla, Adolfo Díaz Romero, Gerardo Peláez, José Toro, Hugo Alípaz, Nils Galdo, Luis Cornejo and Renato Sainz. Also mentioned are the surnames Llanos, Morales, Medina, Muñoz, Montoya, Alarcón and Alborta Rada. After the cessation of hostilities, the citizens of La Paz gradually returned to their daily activities.

The Government of the time rewarded The Strongest Club with the land located between Illimani Avenue and Yungas Street in the Santa Barbará neighborhood, where the old La Paz Bullring used to stand. This Sports Complex, the first of its kind in the country, was named after its mentor Don Gustavo Carlos Otero, where the Antonio Asbun Soccer School of our children's divisions is currently located.

In 1935, the Football Association of La Paz (AFLP) quickly organized the tournament of the year, and the club The Strongest, with a new team, won the first post-war soccer crown, among nine participants. After several decades, the club later incorporated notable players of Paraguayan origin into its ranks, some of whom even adopted Bolivian nationality and played for the national team, such as Luis Galarza, Wilfrido Cañellas, Eligio Martínez, Julián Jiménez, Miguel Gariazú and Pablo Escobar.

The Strongest is not just another sports club, but above all, a school of civility, altruism and patriotism where many generations of young people have been molded physically, spiritually and morally.

Club The Strongest - Viloco Tragedy

 It was 1969, the Board of Directors presided by Don José Luis de Aranguren, had made as in many other occasions a real effort to form a team of soccer players to the stature of the Club's history; this is how this objective was achieved; the same that was in competition in the local competition.

The Strongest received an invitation from the Asociación Cruceña de Futbol who organized an international quadrangular championship in homage to the anniversary of the Department of Santa Cruz. The Strongest left for Santa Cruz with its entire starting line-up, with the exception of captain Rolando Vargas and Paraguayan Luis Gini, who was injured, as well as Marco Antonio Velasco from Santa Cruz, who was also seriously injured twenty days before the trip.

Alberto Alarcón; as Manager and Delegate, Mr. José Ayllon, the Technical Director, Professor Eustaquio Ortuño, and the players: goalkeepers: Armando Angelacio, and Orlando Cáceres; defenders: Hernán Andretta, Juan Iriondo, Miguel Angel Porta, Jorge Tapia, Julio Alberto Díaz and Oscar Guzmán; midfield: Héctor Marchetti, Oscar Flores, and Raúl Farfán; attackers: Diógenes Torrico, Fernando Duran, Osvaldo Franco, Eduardo Agustín Arrigó, Germán Alcázar, and Ernesto Villegas; utility player: Felipe Aguilar. Once the participation in this tournament was completed, The Strongest started its return from Santa Cruz, on Friday 26th, at 2:10 p.m. it boarded the Douglas DC-6B ship of the LAB. - 92 -At 3:30 p.m., the operators of the Trompillo airport notified the Cochabamba and La Paz airports of the loss of contact with the aircraft, which led to the presumption of a serious emergency and later became a real national tragedy with the loss of 74 lives, including well-known national personalities and the entire delegation of The Strongest, except General Alberto Alarcón who for personal reasons had decided to stay in Santa Cruz.

The grief and pain took hold not only of the Strongest family, but of the people and the country in general, since the news of the crash of the ship in the summits of Viloco, in the Andes Mountains, sowed mourning throughout the national territory.

After the pain of friends and strangers, and after the tributes to our "Martyrs of Viloco", as they have been declared, came the process and the arduous task of raising a new team from the ashes of this tragedy; For this purpose, national and international solidarity was received, from various parts of South America came samples of solidarity from various clubs, offering their teams to act for free for the benefit of the club The Strongest, as well as the Argentine clubs Boca Juniors and River Plate, which were made available to the "atigrados" and whose presidents came in person to the city of La Paz.

Other encouraging signs of solidarity came from the Bolivian Football Federation, the South American Confederation and FIFA, as well as clubs from the continent. From that moment on, the task of reviving and rebuilding The Strongest was the work of many people and institutions. A high-level commission was formed to make possible the offers of collaboration from Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, Rio de Janeiro, Asuncion, etc.

Boca Juniors contributed with two excellent youth players Romerito and Bastida. The president of the South American Football Confederation, Teofilo Salinas, donated twenty thousand US dollars; The President of the Brazilian Sports Confederation, Joao Havelange, organized the Carioca classic: Flamengo vs Fluminense, whose proceeds benefited The Strongest, even the classic rival Bolivar gave its most important players and thus formed the team called "The Strongest Symbol" which would tour the interior of the country and also abroad in order to raise funds for the recovery of the Aurinegra.

Thus, like the Phoenix Bird, The Strongest rises from the ashes of adversity, but always honoring its "Martyrs of Viloco" and all those who showed us the way and who are no longer with us today, to reach the hundred and two luminous years and stronger than ever.

Club The Strongest - History

 Since the appearance in 1899 of the first soccer club in La Paz, "La Paz Football Club", which two years later became the "Bolivian Rangers FC" and its great rival of the time "The Thunders FC" (1902), a large number of clubs burst into the soccer firmament of the city, Clubs of different types appeared and disappeared with great ease, their life was so ephemeral that very few made it to the second decade of soccer in La Paz and even less to the third, which is why a group of boys, were determined to found a really strong club, "the strongest" of the time and that was imperishable in time.

They held their meetings in a nice kiosk located in the Plaza Murillo, some of the young men already had experience in founding and organizing clubs, as they had founded a few years before the Victory Club, the Club 20 de Octubre and the Dread Club.

On the afternoon of April 8, 1908, they decided to found the dreamed club and that same night, in the house of Alberto Requena Crespo, located on the corner of Buenaventura Bueno and Juan de la Riva streets, the pleasing name of Strong Football Club was born: Strong Football Club.

A few days later, at the home of Francisco Kochiche Guachalla's CLUB THE STRONGEST - 82 - the boys reconsidered the name and agreed that Strong was not strong enough... we said! - "the strongest". There came the voice of Victor Manuel Franco who studied English to add the article "The" and Ramon "Pachacha" Gonzales to add to Strong the superlative "est" and then the name sounded strong and beautiful: "The Strongest Football Club" which in Spanish means "the strongest soccer club".

The founders were: José López Villamil, Alberto Requena, Víctor Franco, Francisco Guachalla, Juancho González, Alberto Tavel, Adrián Deheza, Felipe González, Armando Elio, Luis Rivera, Isaac González, Luis Felipe Dick, Isaac Alípaz".

In an extensive note made to one of the founders on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the club, in the morning paper El Diario, Don Hugo Alípaz, pointed out that, Luis Felipe Dick presided over the first meeting for the founding of the club, the honor of the first official presidency falling on José López Villamil.

The first sessions were held in a kiosk in the Plaza Murillo and sometimes on a bench in the Paseo de El Prado. Later the meetings were held in the house of "Khochichi" Guachalla, in the house of "Pachacha" González or in the Montes' residence.

At the beginning only football was practiced, but later the club's scope was expanded to include basketball, tennis, swimming, among others. Alípaz mentioned in the interview that: "our first field (court) was the 'pampita de la Tejería' behind the Church of San Pedro, playing with a ball made with a cow's bladder. When the regulation leather balls appeared, we played on the field on Arce Avenue," which the Ernst brothers had set up on their father's farm....

The first amateur match for the Club was against Nimbles Sport Association, a team founded in 1909, which was undoubtedly our fiercest rival in this early period.

From the moment The Strongest played its final match to become champion of the first Cup tournament played in Bolivia in 1911, organized by the Prefecture of the Department of La Paz, in which it defeated by 3 goals to 1 its great rival of the time, the Nimbles Sport Association, it was constantly linked with victories, logically its rich history is also tinged with falls, - 83 - but undoubtedly the fans have more reasons to celebrate and feel proud to belong to the largest sports institution in the country, through these more than one hundred years of rich sports and social history, written in letters:

"GOLD AND BLACK".

Association football is governed internationally by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA; French: Fédération Internationale de Football Association), which organizes World Cups for both men and women.

 

Club Bolivar - International Achievements

Bolívar currently ranks ninth in the Copa Libertadores historical ranking, behind only Nacional, River Plate, Peñarol, Boca Juniors, Olimpia, Cerro Porteño, América de Cali and Colo-Colo.

Bolívar is the first Bolivian team to make an international tour. In December 1930 and January 1931, Club Bolívar played five matches in Chile, becoming the first Bolivian team to play outside Bolivia.

Bolívar is the best placed Bolivian team in the historical table of the Copa Libertadores de América, appearing in ninth position.

Bolívar is the only Bolivian club to reach an international final.

Bolívar is the only Bolivian team to be semifinalists in the Copa Libertadores de América in its current format (knockout rounds from the round of 16).

It is also the Bolivian team with the most participations in international tournaments, with 28 Libertadores Cups, 6 South American Cups and one Conmebol Cup.

Bolivar had a good international representation as it is currently ranked 8th (out of 196 clubs) in the Copa Libertadores ranking since its creation in 1960 until the end of the Copa Libertadores 2013 edition.

Bolivar is the 5th team in the Americas with the most participations in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores with a total of 11 participations.

It also ranks 17th (out of 25) in the 12 editions from 2002 to 2013 of the Copa Sudamericana.

In the 1991 Copa Libertadores, Bolívar defeated Argentinean teams Boca Juniors and River Plate at home, with Paraguayan Miguel Ángel Sanabria, who played for the Bolivian club that year, as a star player.

Bolívar is currently ranked 21st in CONMEBOL's Official Club Ranking, followed by big clubs in the Americas such as Colo-Colo, Racing Club, Club Atlético River Plate, Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro and Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas.

America's Libertadores Cup

1986

América de Cali and Olimpia of Paraguay played against them in the semifinal. In La Paz they clearly defeated América by 2 to 0. The match that broke the Celestial options was played in Cali. Bolívar started winning with a great goal by the great left striker of the Peruvian national team, Jorge "Coqui" Hirano, right at the beginning of the second half. The sky-blue team, with gritted teeth, held on to the victory until the 30th minute, when the locals managed to equalize. In the 39th minute, Ricardo Gareca scored the winner for América. The last match in La Paz still gave the Academy a chance, but Olimpia opened the account and Abdeneve tied it at 27 minutes of the second half. Time was not enough. América achieved 5 points, Olimpia 4 and Bolívar 3. In the total table of that tournament, with its 12 points, Bolívar was behind River and América managed to occupy the third place.

South American Cup

2004

In the final, they played against Boca Juniors from Argentina. The Bolivian club played the first leg at the Hernando Siles Stadium, defeating the Argentinean club by the minimum difference, thanks to Horacio Chiorazzo's goal in the 75th minute. In the second leg, played in Buenos Aires at La Bombonera, the Bolivian team led by Bolivian international Vladimir Soria, lost 2-0 due to goals by Martín Palermo and Carlos Tévez, in the 14th and 28th minutes respectively, and thus the Bolivian club, was runner-up in the continental competition.

Bolivar ended 2004 in 32nd place in the world club ranking, ahead of several traditional clubs, such as Bayern Munich (39th), Cruzeiro de Belho Horizonte (44th), América de México (52nd) and Cerro Porteño (68th), among other clubs.

America's Libertadores Cup
2014

Bolivar reached the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores for the second time in its history, this time in the 2014 edition. During this instance, the Academy defeated León, Emelec and Flamengo in the group stage. They then defeated León again in the round of 16, while in the quarterfinals they beat Lanús from Argentina (after a 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires and a 1-0 win in La Paz). However, in the semifinals they lost to San Lorenzo de Almagro (with a 5-0 defeat in Buenos Aires and a 1-0 win in La Paz) and were eliminated from the competition.

Club Bolivar - International participation

 1960 a 2014

In 1967 Bolívar participated for the first time in the Copa Libertadores de América. It was the beginning of a brilliant history of the light blue academics and the most complete participation of a Bolivian team.

It participated 26 times in the Copa Libertadores de América, followed by The Strongest. Its best participations were in 1986, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2014, reaching the semifinals and/or the third phase of the competition. It is the eighth team with the highest number of points in the history of the competition out of almost 200 teams that have participated in it since 1960.

1960 a 2014

In 1967 Bolívar participated for the first time in the Copa Libertadores de América. It was the beginning of a brilliant history of the light blue academics and the most complete participation of a Bolivian team.

It participated 26 times in the Copa Libertadores de América, followed by The Strongest. Its best participations were in 1986, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2014, reaching the semifinals and/or the third phase of the competition. It is the eighth team with the highest number of points in the history of the competition out of almost 200 teams that have participated in it since 1960.

Bolivia-Brazil at the Félix Capriles stadium is unfeasible due to operational issues

  Although the president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), Fernando Costa, hinted that the match between Bolivia and Brazil, on March 29, could be played at the Félix Capriles stadium, there are several details that make this possibility unfeasible.

"Possibly the president's idea is what he has always expressed, to take the national team to different cities in the country. It can be done, but in the next qualifying process", assured the director of the marketing department of the FBF, José Claure, to Panamericano Deportivo.

The federation executive explained that changing the venue of the match against Brazil would imply a problem with the issue of subscribers, most of whom are in the city of La Paz.

Another problem is that in order to change the venue of a playoff match, different steps must be followed and a series of requirements must be fulfilled.

"First, the scenarios are presented to Conmebol, they are verified to obtain approval not only for the number of spectators, but for everything that corresponds to this type of tournament, such as lights, access to the sports field. We believe that an evaluation should still be made in the short term, since we are a little more than a month away from this new commitment of the national team", said Claure.

It is unfeasible to change the venue of the match against Brazil due to the operational and logistical aspects that are already underway for that match, since even the advance team of the Verdeamarela is already in La Paz, evaluating the hotels, the distances they will travel from the hotel to the stadium, in which part of the field of play they will warm up, among others.

Bs 6 million unsupported in the FBF

The audit of the financial statements of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) for the years 2020 and 2021 indicates that 6,395,800 bolivianos do not have backups, that is to say, with the documentation to establish their origin nor the discharges of the expenses made.

Delta Consult Limited carried out the audit and in its opinion, which is labeled as "qualified opinion", states that "we have not been able to satisfy ourselves on the reasonableness of the balances identified for 6,395,800 bolivianos, through other audit procedures because they do not have the documentation to support their origin, since they correspond to periods prior to 2015".

Does the FBF want La Paz to stop hosting the qualifying round?

 "We are making consultations to see if we have the endorsement (of Conmebol and FIFA) and to give surprises," responded the president of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), Fernando Costa, when asked about the possibility of taking the last match of the South American qualifiers against Brazil (March 29) to another venue other than La Paz.

According to Costa, Cochabamba is the main option. However, it was not taken into account that in order to think about that option it is also necessary to analyze what will happen with the season ticket holders, as well as to see if the Félix Capriles meets the requirements requested by FIFA. 

"It is within the alternatives, we have shuffled that possibility and we want to take our National Team to the nine departmental capitals. We are making the consultations to see if we have the endorsement (of Conmebol and FIFA) and give surprises", explained Costa.

Los Tiempos consulted a former FBF executive about the possibility of providing more venues for the national team, given that it is likely for the next qualifying process for the United States-Mexico-Canada 2026 and not for the current one, as there are few venues that meet the requirements.

What are the requirements? Although the FIFA requirements are framed in terms of artificial light lumens, dimensions of dressing rooms, VOR rooms, security and others that many national scenarios meet, one is vital: to have seats installed on the concrete bleachers.

Currently, only the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz and the Tahuichi Aguilera stadium in Santa Cruz comply with this requirement, and only to a high percentage.

The Patria in Sucre has some seats (not enough) and the Félix Capriles in Cochabamba does not have a single one, as these were removed after refurbishment in 2018. 

"We are sure that in the nine capital cities we will have the support, because the selection belongs to everyone. We are in consultation with Conmebol, we estimate that until the following week we will have an answer," Costa finished. 

Bolivar Club History 1978 - 2017

 The first part:  Bolivar Club History 1925 - 1935
The Second part: Bolivar Club History 1935 - 1957

The third part: Bolivar Club History 1957 - 1978

1978 a 1997

The 1978 champion team, the first Bolívar champion of this new era: Carlos Conrado Jiménez, José Queiroz, Carlos del Puerto and Vlado Svigir; Ricardo Troncone, Aldo Fierro, Ramiro Vargas, Jimmy Lima, Héctor Cáceres, Pablo Baldivieso, Luis Gregorio Gallo; Erland Araoz, Stephan Matic, Carlos Aragonés; Viviano Lugo, Raúl Alberto Morales, Waldino Palacios, Jesús Reynaldo, Porfirio "Tamayá" Jiménez" and Carlos Borja (then right forward). In 1979 they won a minor official competition, called Copa Liga.

During the 1980s, it won its first bicampeonato in the 1982 and 1983 tournaments, won the 1985 tournament and also its second bicampeonato, winning the 1987 and 1988 tournaments. In the 1990s, he was again crowned two-time champion in 1991-1992, in 1994, two-time champion again in 1996-1997 and runner-up in 1990 and 1993. It also won the 1997 Apertura and 1997 Clausura short tournaments. 

The 21st Century
2001 - 2006

In the new millennium, Bolívar won its first title, winning the 2001 Apertura Tournament. The following year, Bolivar improved its campaign and won the First Division championship by winning both short tournaments (Apertura and Clausura). The season also meant the consecration of Joaquín Botero, who managed to finish the year with 49 goals, which earned him the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) award as the world's best scorer in the First Division in 2002.

As of 2003, the annual final was no longer played and the winners of both the Apertura and Clausura tournaments were considered First Division National Champions. As a result, the club won the 2004 Apertura, 2005 Adequación and 2006 Clausura tournaments.

The 21st Century
2008 - 2017

In 2008, a new cycle began at the club, with the BAISA project and the Marcelo Claure, Guido Loayza tandem. The first achievement of this new light blue phase came in the 2009 Apertura Championship.

In 2011 it was crowned champion of the Adecuación de la Liga tournament.

In 2013 the Bolivar club managed to win the Clausura tournament.

In the second half of 2014 Bolivar managed to win the Apertura Tournament, in the following tournament it won again the Clausura Tournament 2015.

The sky-blue team repeated for the sixth time a bicampeonato, winning the Clausura and Apertura Tournament 2017, thus achieving its twenty-second First Division title.

Bolivar Club History 1957 - 1978

 The first part:  Bolivar Club History 1925 - 1935
The Second part: Bolivar Club History 1935 - 1957

The fourth part: Bolivar Club History 1978 - 2017

1960 a 1976

On October 1, 1960, the Major Tournament was created. Given the successful experience of the previous decade with well-organized championships and national transcendence. The president of the commission in charge of this tournament was the president of the AFLP.

Subsequently, the tournament was renamed "Simón Bolívar Cup", with a regionalized character due to the difficulty to travel at that time, thus playing the final phase in the last 4 months of the year among the winners of their associations and regional tournaments.

From 1960 until 1976 in the national tournament, it won the 1966 and 1968 championships. Lauro Ocampo Crespo was then president of the institution. In 1968 Bolivar won its first title under the presidency of Mario Mercado. In 1976 it won its last title before the liguero era.

Bolívar won the 1966, 1967, 1969 and 1976 titles and the 1960, 1968 and 1974 runner-up finishes in the championship of La Paz.

In 1967 they played their first Copa Libertadores with Club Deportivo 31 de Octubre.

The Cursed Year 1964 - 1965

The black year in the Celeste's history is considered to be 1964.

A bad campaign led to relegation in that championship against a recently promoted team, Universitario de La Paz, which beat Club Bolivar 2-1.

In 1965, a new board of directors was formed, headed by Luis Eduardo Siles Salinas, with the support of Mario Mercado Vaca Guzmán, which led to the birth of the so-called "Operation Return".

Bolívar won the undefeated championship of the second division of La Paz with a team that had much more hierarchy than its rivals. Soon after Bolívar was relegated, it was thought that relegation was the beginning of the institution's debacle, as it was for others.

The Seventies 1974 - 1983

In 1975 Bolivar had one of the highest quality squads in national soccer, having discovered Carlos Aragonés, an exceptional Bolivian midfielder.

The team also had Ovidio Mezza, at that time the best national player, with the talent of the greats, a mixture of creative midfielder and attacker.

There was the goalkeeper of the national team Carlos Conrado Jiménez, Luis Gregorio Gallo, who had worn the Argentinean national team jersey, the young Edgar Góngora, a defender like Pablo Baldivieso and the great gentleman of the area Ricardo Troncone.

The Academy also won the runner-up trophies in La Paz in 1974 and 1975.

Bolívar was in the Copa Libertadores in 1970, 1976, 1977 and 1979. However, they were unable to advance beyond the first round. After their 3-2 defeat in 1970 against Boca Juniors, they began an important period in which they were not defeated playing at home in La Paz until 1983.

1977 a 1978

The structural crisis of soccer brought to light by the catastrophe of the national team in Cali led to the creation of an entity with the exclusive participation of professional clubs at the national level.

On August 23, 1977, at the then Sheraton Hotel in La Paz, 16 clubs from almost the entire country decided to create the Bolivian Professional Soccer League.

Club Bolivar won its second league championship in 1978.

Bolivar Club History 1935 - 1957

The first part:  Bolivar Club History 1925 - 1935

The third part: Bolivar Club History 1957 - 1978

The fourth part: Bolivar Club History 1978 - 2017

1937 to 1945

The Celestes became champions for the second time in 1937.

Bolívar was runner-up in 1938, champion for four consecutive years between 1939 and 1942, achieving the four-time championship. That team was led by the players Walter Saavedra, Rojas, Romero, Plaza, Gutiérrez and Garzón.10 He was also runner-up in 1943 and 1945.

1947

1947 is an important year for Bolívar and for Bolivian football, as Víctor Agustín Ugarte debuted in the light blue jacket, the Tupiceño who came to La Paz to test himself and from the first day showed his quality. Bolívar made him debut against Ferroviario and that same year he debuted his talent in the Bolivian national team. Ugarte is for those who saw him play, the undisputed best Bolivian player in history. Entering right in the old 2-3-5 scheme, he was progressively falling behind to manage the team

Semi-professional era

1950

As of 1950, the AFLP divides its tournament into First “A” with the clubs already consolidated from amateurism and the amateur division. Later, teams from Cochabamba and Oruro joined the 1st A tournaments, thus giving way to interdepartmental championships.

Bolívar was the first champion of this stage. In the presidency of Armando Gamarra and under the direction of Víctor Agustín Ugarte from Tupic, Mario Mena from Tarija and the participation of players such as the Argentine Ramón Guillermo Santos, they became champions with 21 points.

Among the players who led the club to its first professional glory were, in addition to the three leaders: Conrado Kramer, Walter Vascones, Celestino Sandoval, Guillermo Baldellón, Arturo Miranda, Edgar Vargas, Fernando Sanzetenea, Benjamín Ugáz, Arlindo Puertas and Walter Orozco.

1953 to 1956

With José Fiorilo he won the 1953 title, for the first time a team achieved the professional tournament undefeated with 11 wins and a whopping 40 goals in 14 games.

He repeated the success by winning the 1956 championship. Rodolfo Plaza Montero, who had been a great national player for both Bolívar and the national team, directed the club. He is the only former player of the institution who was also president.

His unforgettable international friendly match was played on January 14, 1956 in La Paz when he defeated Club Atlético River Plate of Buenos Aires by a historic 7-2 win. Carrizo, Rossi, Bayro, Vernazza, Sívori, Méndez, Ángel Labruna and Zárate played in the millionaire box. Bolivar gave himself a banquet. It was a game that has become a legend and the fans do not forget the historic win.

1957

Given the fact that the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) had organized the South American Championship of Champion Clubs (later called Libertadores de América) at the beginning of the year, the Bolivian Football Federation decided to create a championship under its tutelage, taking control of the interdepartmental tournaments that had been under the administration of the AFLP.

Bolivar Club History 1925 - 1935

 Bolivar Club Foundation

On April 12, 1925, on Junín Street in the city of La Paz, a group of young people gave way to the creation of a sports club, called "Club Atlético Bolívar" in honor of the great Liberator Simón Bolívar.

Over the years, the name of Club Atlético Bolívar was reduced to just Club Bolívar, an institution that would ultimately become the most successful and important football club in Bolivia.

The first directive was formed as follows: President Armando Gamarra; Vice President Guillermo Ortiz; accompanied by: Carlos Terán, Humberto Bonifaz, Luis Ernesto Sanz, Héctor Salcedo, Rafael Navarro and Felipe Gutiérrez.

Amateur Era 1927

In 1927, two years after its founding, Club Bolívar joined the La Paz Fútbol Association. Bolívar participated in an official championship for the first time, which was played on the Miraflores field, where it was runner-up.

The first team that disputed the 1927 championship in which, being a debutant, achieved the runner-up behind Nimbles Sport, was made up of a stable team that was made up of Walter Miranda, Enrique Tellería, Felipe Gutiérrez Nieto, Víctor Leclere, Carlos Terán, Germán Garnica , Roberto Segaline, Miguel Carreón, Luis Ernesto Sanz, being their captain Humberto Barreda. Alfredo Molina, Roberto Gómez and Carlos Álvarez were incorporated a year later.

1927 to 1929

His first international friendly match was played on June 3, 1927 when he faced Coquimbo Unido de Chile in La Paz, he was defeated 2-1.

In 1928 the sky-blue ones occupy the fifth place in the table of placements.

In the official tournament of the year 1929, the Bolívar club gets third place.

1930 to 1931

On May 11, 1930, the official championship began, and ended on July 30 at the main stadium, Estadio Hernando Siles, with the Bolívar club achieving the sub-championship with seven units.

In 1931 the tournament was met with poor performances by teams that did not have good lower divisions, limiting the championship to only four teams. 

1932 to 1935

It was in 1932 when the Bolívar club achieved the championship played in two series for the first time in its history. The contest began on May 26, having to be suspended due to the events of the Chaco War on September 25. "La Paz Fútbol Asociation", established that the location and score of the moment was recognized in the final table. Due to this circumstance, Club Bolívar was declared Champion of that year.

In the years 1933 and 1934, the tournaments were suspended due to the war in Chaco

After the war, the championship was restarted only in 1935.  

Continue in: 

Bolivar Club History 1935 - 1957

Bolivar Club History 1957 - 1978

Bolivar Club History 1978 - 2017

Claure arrives and the Academy wants more capacity for the Cup

 The president of Bolívar, Marcelo Claure, announced from the United States that he will arrive in the country to see the return match for the Libertadores against Deportivo Lara, on Wednesday (18:15). The leadership aspires to have greater capacity and fill the stadium.

His vice president stated that they will make arrangements for the authorities to authorize 75% capacity, today what is allowed for this type of event is 50%.

“The capacity is at 50% but we are going to try to make it 75 so that we have a full stadium next Wednesday. We want to see the Siles full after time, hopefully we get the authorization”, said Jorge del Solar.

On the arrival of Claure, the leader informed that he will have a busy schedule in La Paz but that the main objective of his visit is to share with the people, players and witness the international match.

Marcelo Claure was in November in Santa Cruz and La Paz. On that occasion he came to present the progress of the club's centennial project that includes the construction of a stadium, a High Performance Center and the development of its training academies. He also attended the classic La Paz.

“On Wednesday I will be in Bolivia and I hope to see the Hernando Siles stadium full. Step by step we are moving towards the centenary Bolívar ”, Claure wrote on his social networks after the triumph of his team in Venezuela.

The Academy will receive Lara on Wednesday the 16th of this year at the Hernando Siles stadium. It reaches a tie to qualify for the second phase of the continental contest.

Contento con la victoria de visitante de @Bolivar_Oficial. Es importante comenzar nuestra participación en @Libertadores ganando.Bien la delantera, hay que mejorar atrás. El miércoles estaré en #Bolivia y espero ver el Siles lleno. Paso a paso avanzamos #bolivarcentenario 🇧🇴 pic.twitter.com/Wt5NWRa8Kx

— Marcelo Claure (@marceloclaure) February 10, 2022

Meet the lawyer who led Blooming's claim to FIFA

 Eduardo Martins is Argentine and is 44 years old. He knows Bolivia through coach Cristian Díaz, today DT of The Strongest, whom he advises. He feels grateful to Blooming because his president trusted him without knowing him. Also, he said that he doesn't know how much he will charge for his work.

Eduardo Martins is the lawyer who was successful in Blooming's claim against FIFA for a disciplinary sanction that prevented him from enabling new additions to his squad.

The Celestes suffered it on the first date of the Apertura tournament, because for this measure they had to face Bolívar with a decimated team, which caused them to lose at home by a resounding 7-0.

The outlook was complicated for the academy, which is facing an institutional and sports crisis due to a debt approaching 4 million dollars.

In principle, it was known that the celestial club would not be able to register new players until the new authorization period in the Bolivian Football Federation, set for June.

What was going to happen with the new signings? Was there no other way out than to face the entire Apertura tournament with what's on the squad? And the descent? There were multiple questions that arose at the time, because to that was added internal fights in the club's leadership, which aggravated the situation.

The hiring of Martins, who has his compatriot Diego Raguseo on his legal team, was key to getting out of the problem.

It was an unknown lawyer in the middle. Martins, he said, got to know Bolivia because he defended Argentine coach Cristian Díaz who sued Wilstermann and other players such as Argentine midfielder Esteban Orfano and Paraguayan defender Ismael Benegas, who came to him to resolve outstanding debts with local clubs.

Martins is 44 years old. Before becoming a lawyer, he worked as a sports journalist in several important media outlets in Argentina such as Fox Sport, Radio del Plata and El Gráfico. He studied law at the University of Buenos Aires and has a master's degree in sports law.

"I am a soccer lawyer, but above all I am a soccer fan," said Martins, a self-confessed fan of the Acassuso club, which plays for the Nacional B Metropolitano in Buenos Aires.

Martins confesses that he is grateful for the opportunity that the president of Blooming, Sebastián Peña, gave him to work on the sanction that weighed on the club, because in addition to the three days he was without sleep to attend and study the case, the achievement now It is not only from Blooming but from Bolivian soccer.

“We are grateful to Blooming and its president because, without knowing us, he trusted us. We took the risk because it seemed that everything was lost, but we let ourselves be carried away by common sense, since the sanction against the club was unfair, ”he said.

"Blooming had paid his debt, therefore he did not deserve to suffer the consequences of a measure that even made him play his first match of the tournament in inferior conditions," he said.

How much will you charge for the job? Martins said that upon receiving the support of Peña and his directors to try to get FIFA to reverse the sanction, they did not even touch the issue of payment of fees.

“I don't even know how much we're going to charge. I am sure that when we bring up the subject immediately we will come to an agreement. Blooming's board is good people and we are grateful for the opportunity they gave us to work”, he said.

Wilstermann sees Sucre as an alternative to play the Cup

 Wilstermann's coaching staff sees playing the South American Cup at the Patria stadium in Sucre as an option, as long as Félix Capriles, from Cochabamba, does not arrive fit for the match he must hold next March 10 against Guabirá.

Coach Miguel Ponce commented that if the playing field of the main sports field in the Valley does not improve, "we could think of an intermediate point like Sucre to play the Cup, but let's wait what happens in the following weeks," noted the Chilean.

The president of the aviators, Gróver Vargas, confirmed that the Conmebol competition management is aware of the problems that exist on the Capriles pitch and that they requested a report on the work being carried out. "They are worried about this situation and the best thing would be not to play in Capriles until the South American, because if they don't take risks again and the Wilstermann fan will be deprived of an international match," Vargas warned.

Red receives Blooming

Meanwhile, the reds will receive Blooming this afternoon in Sacaba for the second date of the championship (5:15 p.m.).

Maximiliano Ortiz will replace Francisco Rodríguez, the winger was sent off in the match against Royal Pari. The rest of the team will go with José Escóbar in goal; Carlos Áñez, Santiago Echeverría, Edemir Rodríguez, Maximiliano Ortiz in defense; Cristhian Machado and Moisés Villarroel in contention; Javier Sanguinetti as the hitch; Jean Pierre El Hage (Under-20) and Edzon Pérez as wingers, and Andrés Chávez as the only forward.

This Saturday's session will close with the commitment between Universitario de Sucre and Nacional Potosí at the Patria stadium, starting at 7:30 p.m. The people of the capital go for the second victory.

Marcelo Martins: "I come to Cerro Porteño to be champion"

 Marcelo Martins was presented this Thursday as a new Cerro Porteño player. At 16:00, Bolivian time, the act began, which was held in the club's offices, which are located in the lower part of the La Nueva Olla stadium, and with the presence of Juan José Zapag, president of the Barça entity.​

“I come to Cerro Porteño to be champion. I want to win it all. Friends and former teammates who played here spoke very highly of the club and the country. That made me accept the offer”, said the Bolivian attacker.

Martins signed a contract with Cerro for two seasons. He arrives at the team from the Obrero neighborhood of the Paraguayan capital after separating from Cruzeiro in Brazil, a club in which he had a contract until the end of the year, but he had to anticipate his departure by not reaching an agreement on a salary reduction that they demanded. .

The former striker from Oriente Petrolero is seduced by winning the Copa Libertadores with the current Paraguayan soccer champion, because that optimism is based on the fact that Francisco 'Chiqui' Arce has a great squad.

“I know the Copa Libertadores and I would like to win it. It is a pending dream. With Cerro we are going to look for it because to get titles you have to have good players and this club has them”, said the striker from Santa Cruz, who in 2008 was the top scorer of the Libertadores with the Cruzeiro shirt.

 Martins also made it clear that he comes to his new team with the desire to earn a position and to contribute with the experience he has accumulated throughout his career.

Bolivia rises one position in the FIFA Ranking

 The National Team rose one place to settle in position 76, with 1,308.12 points, in the first ranking of the season that was published yesterday by FIFA, after playing the double date of the South American qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. in which the green box lost both games.

Despite climbing a step, Bolivia remains at the bottom among the South American countries that make up Conmebol, still far, 18 boxes, from the penultimate, which in this case is Venezuela with a score of 1,411.45. Bolivia closed 2021 in the 77th place, with a chance to fight to enter the playoff zone in the eliminatory rounds. The green selected opened this ranking one step further, but without the opportunity to place himself in the fight for the indirect pass to the World Cup. This FIFA ranking has Brazil as the best South American with the second position with 1823.42 points, Argentina is in fourth place with 1766.99. 

Conmebol Libertadores, First Phase: Deportivo Lara 2 - 3 Bolivar

 Bolívar starred this Wednesday in his first victory in the 63rd edition of the Copa Libertadores de América, beating the Venezuelan Deportivo Lara (2-3) as a visitor and beyond the transcendent for maintaining an unbeaten record of almost 28 years on Venezuelan soil, he added three invaluable points, which now leave him well placed for the rematch in La Paz and seek the ticket to the second phase.

The national team was down on the scoreboard twice, reacted at the right time and came from behind to win in a match that at times went back and forth with five goals.

The start was turbulent for the national credit, he endured a locker room goal before five minutes, equalized and conceded again minutes later. Then his forcefulness in attack and his Brazilian army shone, which gave the stature on the field of Agustín Tovar.

The merit of the Bolivian team was overcoming the adversity of losing and responding with well-strung attacks between their midfielders and their forwards.

Bruno Sávio and Francisco da Costa converted the sky-blue goals, the latter scoring a brace, but both were also a nightmare for the local defense.

The defensive line was the weak point of the Academy that had serious problems when his opponent attacked him with long balls and plays through the air. The absence of defender César Martins was noted in the La Paz squad, lacking order in its last line.

Rodney Chirinos opened the account for the 'rojinegro' two minutes into the first half, the midfielder received the ball at the entrance of the area and took a powerful right-handed shot to the angle, which beat Rubén Cordano.

Bolívar took center stage after the hot flash. He found parity through Bruno Sávio. He headed in a cross from Gabriel Villamil that left goalkeeper Luis Curiel without a chance in the 20th minute.

The joy did not last long, seven minutes later the llanero defender Diego Meleán also responded by way of the area, he rose higher than the sky-blue central defenders and hit a header that defeated the goalkeeper.

From then on, the sky blue dominated the actions at the impulse of his Brazilian duet. At 33 Da Costa cushioned the ball with his chest, settled down and finished off with force, his shot was not well contained by the rival goalkeeper and nested at the bottom of the net.

Da Costa himself closed figures in minute 39. Rodríguez, Sávio and the center forward joined forces and found space and executed a low shot, unattainable for Curiel.

In the complement the pace of the game slowed down, the Bolivian handed over the initiative to his antagonist and went on a counterattack. Lara had chances to equalize but missed on the final stitch. The Academy was saved in the final stretch and wasted a couple of offensives that were well conjured up by Curiel.

The rematch is next Wednesday (18:15) in La Paz, Bolívar is enough with a tie to register his name in the next phase where the Ecuadorian Universidad Católica awaits.

DATA

The Academy remains undefeated in four games without losing on Venezuelan soil for the Copa Libertadores, winning two and drawing two away

The sky-blue from La Paz played his 242nd match in the Libertadores, won 95 matches, equaled 53 and lost 94 times.

The light blue midfielder Leonel Justiniano played his 25th match in the Libertadores. He disputed seven times defending Wilstermann's currency and 18 with Bolívar's.

THE FIGURE: DA COSTA

The Brazilian striker contributed two goals to his team but he was also a persevering and participative striker, a nightmare for the rival defense.

THE REFEREE: GOOD

Paraguayan Eber Aquino closely followed the actions and charged according to the regulations. He disallowed a goal for each team due to obvious lead positions.

Bolívar visits Deportivo Lara in the first cup round

 Academia will seek a victory in the plains, where it already won in 1994. It comes on stage in its 242nd match in the Libertadores, a tournament it is attending for the 36th time.

This Wednesday Bolívar debuts in the 63rd edition of the Copa Libertadores against Deportivo Lara from Venezuela for the first leg of phase 1. An unprecedented rival who will try from 6:15 p.m. to give the first blow in the key against a Bolivian team that aims to add units to settle the series as a local next week.

The Academy landed yesterday in Barinas after noon and trained in the afternoon at the Zamora club grounds, the eleventh is practically defined with the only doubt in defense, César Martins or Alberto Guitián as libero in the line of three defenders.

Regarding the team that coach Antonio Carlos Zago tried against Blooming last Sunday (7-0), another variant appears, that of midfielder Carlos Antonio Melgar in midfield instead of the youthful Lucas Chávez.

On offense he will line up his offensive trident made up of Brazilians Bruno Sávio, Francisco da Costa and Argentine Patricio Rodríguez.

The sky-blue comes on stage in his 242nd match in the Libertadores, a tournament he is attending for the 36th time. In the history he achieved 94 wins, 53 draws and 94 losses. As a visitor, he played 121 games with a balance of 15 wins, 27 equal games and 79 losses.

“Deportivo Lara is a good team, otherwise they wouldn't be playing in the Libertadores, we have to respect it but play our game and seek victory. There are no favorites in the Cup, but we are in Bolívar and we always have to go out and win”, pointed out Sávio.

The Academy did well against visiting llaneros teams, in three confrontations they tied two games and won another. They met twice with Minervén in 1994 and 1997, both 1-1, and beat Marítimo 2-0 in 1994.

HISTORY WITH VENEZUELANS

The last precedent against a Venezuelan credit dates back to April 23, 1997 when he equaled one goal per side with Minervén in Puerto Ordaz. Ramiro Castillo (+) scored the sky-blue goal and Alexis Chirinos converted for the local team at the Polideportivo Cachamay stadium.

Deportivo Lara is a club founded in 2009, participating for the fifth time in international competition. His best appearances were when he reached the group stage in 2013, 2018 and 2019. For these events he played 20 games. He won four, matched four and fell 12 times.

The llanero cast has not had official activity since last year, it was reinforced with Aristóteles Romero, Johan Moreno, Henri Pernía and the Panamanian Jhamal Rodríguez. He will not officiate as a local in his own redoubt as he is not in conditions, he chose Barinas for this occasion.

The duel between 'rojinegros' and 'academicians' is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. at the Agustín Tovar stadium, better known as La Carolina. On that court, the Bolivian team fell on February 28 to its pair from Venezuela for Qualifiers.

Real Potosí closes its cycle after 34 years of life

 After trying to save the León de las Alturas by all means, the economic debts forced the leadership to declare bankruptcy the most winning team in Potosí soccer, the Real Potosí club, which ends its cycle after 34 years of institutional life after being founded. on April 1, 1988 by the Spanish Samuel Blanco.

“After making an exhaustive analysis of everything that is happening with the club, it has been decided that Real Potosí can close it definitively because the economic issue that is due is very important,” said the leader Marco Ortega during the meeting they held yesterday. the board, members and fans of the purple club.

Bolívar jumps on the scene at the start of the Copa Libertadores

 The 2022 Copa Libertadores will begin this week with the dispute of its first phase 1 matches, an instance in which the Bolívar club will be the first national team to compete in official Conmebol competitions.

His official debut will be tomorrow (18:15 HB) when he visits Venezuelan Deportivo Lara, at the Agustín Tovar stadium in Barinas.

In the same scenario where Bolivia fell 4-1 to Venezuela, for matchday 15 of the South American qualifiers for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Celeste will seek to strike the first blow against a rival that little by little took center stage this season.

Bolívar, who in 2019 was left out of phase 1 at the hands of Defensor Sporting from Uruguay (global 5-6), in the 2020 edition had a revenge in phase 2 (to which he entered directly) after eliminating Montevideo Wanderers (global 5-1), but was eliminated in phase 3 against Junior de Barranquilla (2-4).

Seeking to be the second Bolivian team to enter the group zone from the previous phases -The Strongest is the only one that did so in the 2015 and 2017 editions- the Academy led by Antonio Carlos Zago bet big.

With the hiring of the Brazilians Bruno Savio, Francisco da Costa and the Argentine Patricio Rodríguez, in addition to the national Carlos Antonio Melgar, Bolívar wants to hit the table against Deportivo Lara.

The second leg will be on Wednesday, February 16 (18:15 HB) at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz.

Torque and Barcelona play today (20:30)

The Uruguayan Montevideo City Torque and the Ecuadorian Barcelona will take their first step today (20:30 HB) seeking access to a group stage of the Copa Libertadores soccer that, for the moment, remains distant for both.

Montevideo's Centenario stadium will witness one of the three crosses that the first round of the continental tournament will have at the club level, which will be closely watched by those who await the winner in the second round: Universitario (PER). Cesar Vallejo (PER) vs. Olimpia (PAR) play tomorrow (20:30 HB).

Coach of Lara: I have experience at height, we can give a big surprise

 Four years ago he was at Deportivo Cuenca, which left Wilster in Cochabamba on the way. He anticipates that his cast will have a lot of ball possession in the two games against the Academy.

Deportivo Lara's coach, Jorge Durán, knows Bolívar perfectly, who will be his team's rival this Wednesday, in the match to be played in Barinas, for Phase 1 of the Copa Libertadores.

Four years ago he was part of the coaching staff of Deportivo Cuenca, which he left Wilstermann on the way. Now, as coach of the Venezuelan team, his goal is to eliminate the Academy.

What background does Jorge Durán have as a coach?

It is 25 years that he has been in football uninterruptedly. I started in 1996 as a physical trainer for Mineros de Guyana, then I went to Minervén and also assumed that role in the minor teams of Venezuela. Professor Richard Páez took me to support Vinotinto, in Alianza Lima and Millonarios. Today it's my turn to take over officially at Deportivo Lara and I have the training to take on that responsibility.

Which Deportivo Lara are we going to see against Bolívar?

The idea is to have a lot of ball possession. We have players with good footing to fulfill that characteristic. We will try to meet that requirement of facing a great team like Bolívar.

What do you know about Bolívar, have you done any monitoring?

I watched a lot of games from last semester, where I saw that they make a line of five at the back, other times they play with four at the back, they have wingers with quick starts and I know that they have incorporated new players and that they have height in some positions, such as defense. The nine with which they have been reinforced (Francisco da Costa) also has that characteristic. I like (Erwin) Saavedra, which is unbalanced, but they informed me that they sold it. Bolívar has players with good footing and they handle the ball very well, you have to respect that.

Is Bolívar the favorite for the key they are going to play?

Bolívar is a great team in Bolivia, but in the international context the games have to be played. Football is an apprenticeship and we are aiming to face this key with humility and competitive responsibility.

The president of Lara, Daniel Villasmil, acknowledged Bolívar's story, but clarified that he did not play, what do you think?

I think the same, each team has an important representation in their country and internationally, but history must be faced by building and that is what we are doing.

In these 180-minute games, will keeping a clean sheet in the first leg be key?

Having an undefeated arc is a psychological component of the game, since it gives you confidence and handling of the situations of a match. For us, having the goal at zero will be very safe for the group, especially for the rematch.

Are they forced to look for a good goal difference to come to La Paz?

I'm not talking about the goal difference, but rather having a positive result to know how to handle it at home and away.

Does Bolívar have an advantage for deciding the key at home and at height?

I worked at altitude with Millonarios and Cuenca from Ecuador, and we went to Cochabamba with Wilstermann, which we declassified, that's why I say that this international experience that I have has given me the confidence that if the games are played with attitude, we can give a big surprise.

Many teams and selections have won in La Paz, don't you think that the issue of altitude is psychological?

It is psychological and physiological, because the adaptations do not take place in the time that one requires in football. It is very difficult to adapt players to heights like 3,600 meters, each one has a different physiological adaptation. Theories say that it takes 21 days, I consider it to be 30 and it could be a great advantage for the teams that play in La Paz.

But days ago the players of the Bolivian national team felt the heat of Barinas...

It is true, luckily it was played at six in the afternoon, because at four it is with 34 degrees of temperature. Bolívar is going to play in a city that is not normal for a team that comes from altitude. They are natural conditions that each team and selection try to take advantage of that favors them.

First Date Professional Division Group A: Nacional Potosi 1 - 1 Palmaflor

 The Valle Bajo team lost its compass after the expulsion of defender Juan José Orellana in the final minutes and allowed the Ranchoguitarras to rescue a point in Potosí.

Palmaflor could not sustain the victory over Nacional Potosí and, in the last breath of the match, the squad from the Villa Imperial made the goal of equality rescuing a point at home, at the start of the first date of the Apertura tournament.

Those led by coach Humberto Viviani made wear and tear and searched for the rival goal on several occasions, but could not widen the difference on the scoreboard.

This tie leaves the Valle Bajo squad with a bitter taste because it was close to bagging a victory in a difficult scenario for a visiting club.

In the first stage, both teams proposed analysis football and dangerous actions, but neither sent the ball to the bottom of the goal.

In the complement, the first serious attempt to respond by Palmaflor occurred in the 76th minute with a shot by Igo Soares, who made his way to shoot with his left-handed profile and hit the ball on the crossbar.

Two minutes later (78), in a counterattack play, the ball passed near defender Víctor Galaín, who was unable to deflect the trajectory of the ball, leaving it for attacker Wesley da Silva, who eluded goalkeeper Saidt Mustafá's exit and with a goal Empty opened the account in the match to the surprise of the locals.

Palmaflor was one step away from adding his first victory of the year, but suffered the expulsion of the player Juan José Orellana, at 89 minutes, for physical aggression against one of the opponents, three minutes after entering to reinforce the defense.

The representative from Cochabamba was disorganized and was prey to nerves after this negative action.

When the third minute of addition was played, defender Luis Torrico was the "hero" of Nacional Potosí with the goal (93 minutes), leaving the score tied (1-1), against Auriverde at the Víctor Agustín Ugarte stadium.

With a soft touch, but enough to dislodge goalkeeper Gustavo Salvatierra, Torrico saved the Ranchoguitarras from defeat at home.

Although the purpose of the locals was to add three units, they received this comforting tie for their aspirations to be protagonists in the tournament.