“It’s an enormous thrill to start my tenth season at Montilivi. I’ve experienced unforgettable moments with this Club, and we approach the new season with ambition and determination to bring the Club back to where it deserves to be.” With these words, Christian Stuani led the presentation of the 49th Costa Brava Trophy-150th Estrella Damm anniversary, an event that will take place tomorrow, Saturday, August 1, at 8:00 PM at Montilivi Stadium, where Girona FC will face Arsenal FC, the reigning Premier League champion and UEFA Champions League runner-up.

The event was held this morning at Esperit Roca, the establishment in Sant Julià de Ramis owned by the Roca brothers, global gastronomy icons and recipients of three Michelin stars. The venue was chosen to kick off a very special edition of the tournament, which will bring one of the great names in European football to Montilivi.

Stuani, who has renewed his contract for another year and will mark his tenth season with Girona, explained, “My intention has always been to stay with the Club, for which I have nothing but gratitude. It’s been many years; we’ve experienced good times and also challenging ones, but I want to thank the coaching staff and the people who have made me feel very loved in Girona.” “The league will be tough. We have a very important challenge ahead, but I am confident that we will compete and be ready to achieve our goals.”

The red-and-white captain highlighted the value of a match of this caliber in front of the Girona fans. “Facing a team of Arsenal’s stature helps us continue to grow and prepare for the season. It’s a trophy that is important to us, and we’ve always wanted to win it. It would be great for it to stay at home.”

The presentation also featured Quique Álvarez, who emphasized the importance of a historic tournament for the Club and the uniqueness of this year’s edition. “We are very excited to celebrate this special edition of the Costa Brava Trophy against a world-class opponent. For the fans, it’s a beautiful occasion, and we hope to play a good match. We have good feelings; there’s excitement and eagerness,” he said.

The Girona coach assured that he is convinced “we will have a good team,” but admitted that there could be changes before the transfer window closes. “I’m not worried at all because I see how the team trains, and we already knew the situation of the squad.”

A relationship spanning more than a decade

The 49th Costa Brava Trophy takes on special significance this year as it is part of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Estrella Damm, the official sponsor of Girona FC since 2012.

Over these more than fourteen years of partnership, the Club and the brand have shared some of the most important moments in Girona FC’s recent history. Among them, the massive celebrations through the streets of Girona for the promotions to the First Division in 2017 and 2022, as well as the Girona Festival of 2024, which brought together thousands of fans in a parade through the city streets and concerts held later in the Copa area to commemorate the team’s historic qualification to compete in Europe.

The collaboration has also resulted in numerous campaigns and initiatives aimed at Girona fans. Actions such as the Estrella Player Award, chosen by fans after each match, or the Stars Match, which offers exclusive experiences at Montilivi through social media contests, are now part of the collective memory of the red-and-white fans.

This relationship was further strengthened in September 2023, when Girona FC and Estrella Damm renewed their collaboration agreement for another five seasons, ensuring the continuity of a strategic alliance that has united the two entities for more than a decade.

A special edition of the Costa Brava Trophy

The 2015/16 season was the first in which Estrella Damm associated its image with the Girona Costa Brava Trophy. A decade later, the competition celebrates a particularly significant edition for two reasons: the commemoration of Damm’s 150 years of history and the presence of an opponent as prominent as Arsenal FC.

Damm’s connection to sports dates back to the 1950s, with the founding of the Damm Football Club and the first sponsorships linked to cycling and basketball. Today, after nearly 150 years of history, the company maintains a strong presence in multiple sports disciplines, both nationally and internationally, reaffirming its commitment to the values of sports.

As part of this celebration, Girona FC joined last March in the commemorative events for Estrella Damm’s 150th anniversary. Before the league match against RC Celta de Vigo, the first-team players took to the Montilivi pitch wearing special congratulatory shirts that collectively spelled out the word “Congratulations” accompanied by the brand’s logo.

The celebration of Damm’s 150 years will continue throughout 2026 with an extensive program of activities. Tomorrow, however, all attention will be focused on Montilivi. The 49th Costa Brava Trophy-150th Estrella Damm anniversary will offer Girona fans a new opportunity to enjoy a top-level match against one of the great references in European football, on a night that will unite sports, history, and the celebration of a relationship that is now part of Girona FC’s DNA.