© EuroFootball.com
Football fans probably remember the final of the European Championship, when some red-hooded fanatic threw a "Barcelona" flag at Luis Figo. They also remember Champions League matches, when Thierry Henry received Blaugrana jerseys with his name on them from a certain fan.
That hooded figure with the flag and with the jerseys is one and the same person - "Šokliukas" (Jumper). In the "Tribune" section of EuroFootball.com, a website visitor Rokas offers a funny story about the hardcore "Barcelona" fan Jaume Marqueta, better known to the world simply as Jimmy Jump.
Jimmy Jump!
Two muscular men dragged him across the green "Camp Nou" field, but he paid no attention - he simply spat, gazed at the blue Catalan sky, and was extremely satisfied...
Jaume Marquetas or better say Jimmy Jump has done his job. Today he ran onto the field to thank Abelardo Fernandez who played his last match. It was the 2001-2002 La Liga season and the debut of "Šokliukas".
Jimmy Jump, or if you prefer, Jaume Marquetas, is the most famous "jumper" in Spain.
Such "jumpers", who at any cost try to run onto the field and express their opinion on any event or fact openly.
Jimmy says that his main goal is to entertain the audience, and he dreams of conquering Hollywood and one day receiving an Oscar. His motto is "I was born to be famous".
Jimmy is not an annoying "jumper", sometimes he just needs to suddenly appear next to his target and take a photo together, but in his "jumps" history there are moments when he unmistakably let it be known what he wanted to say.
By the way, unlike other "jumpers", Jimmy always runs onto the field dressed and shocks the audience just with his appearance.
Meanwhile, the world's most popular "jumper" is Englishman Mark Roberts, who became famous for his exhibitionist stunts. He ran naked three times in a row into the Champions League finals and proudly strutted from the guards displaying the inscription "Galactic Ass".
Jimmy Jump and football
During various football matches, the Catalan has run onto the field dozens of times.
One of Jimmy's most notable chords - July 4, 2004 - The European Championship final. The traitor got what he deserved - a blaugrana flag flew to the man who spat on the hearts of "Barcelona" fans worldwide.
Luis Figo's face was grim - he once kissed the "Barcelona" crest on the jerseys, and now he knew very well that his betrayal would never be forgotten.
The next day, the Catalan newspapers screamed: "Figo got what he deserved", Madrid called it a shameful incident, and the Portuguese press wrote that it was hooliganism, but acknowledged that Jimmy Jump was the only person who managed to break through the Greek defense (as you remember, Portugal lost to the champions Greece 0-1).
Jimmy himself spoke about it: "I threw the 'Barça' flag at Figo not for fame, I ran out to let everyone know that the man is a cheap heel."
November 19, 2005. "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium. The 151st El Clasico in history: "Real - Barcelona". Jimmy runs onto the field like a patrak, caught in ecstasy. This was the response to those in Madrid who shouted that Catalonia didn't need more rights. "Barcelona" crushed "Real" 3:0, and the white stands applauded the Blaugrana. Triumph!
Jimmy's most expensive appearance on the football field was recorded on April 25, 2006, at the "El Madrigal" stadium. That time, during a Champions League match between local "Villarreal" and London's "Arsenal", at the beginning of the second half, the "Jumper" threw "Barcelona" jerseys marked with the number 14 at the French forward of the London club, Thierry Henry.
The Spanish anti-hooliganism commission fined the Catalan €60,000. By the way, Jimmy didn't pay all the fines: part of the money was paid by the stadium administration and the "Villarreal" club for security loopholes, the remaining money was donated by personal Catalan admirers and the Catalonia Independence Party.
As you know, Jimmy Jump's efforts were in vain - T. Henry signed a new contract with "Arsenal".
Jimmy jumps not only in Spain, he has leaped into England as well.
During the match between "Liverpool" and "Chelsea", a precise shot with the "Barcelona" flag hit the face of all cules, the despised former interpreter and current "blues" coach Jose Mourinho.
By the way, Jimmy has been included in the frame with many football celebrities.
L. Figo and J. Mourinho are not the only ones who have suddenly seen Jimmy emerge from nowhere to them. His targets have become Frank Rijkaard, Florentino Perez, Iker Casillas, Emilio Butragueno, Johan Cruyff, Carles Puyol, Txiki Begiristain, Bobby Robson, and even... L. Figo's wife.
Jimmy Jump, sports, and kings
In Spain, Jimmy has long been a cult figure. An integral attribute of his antics is the "barretina" - a red high Catalan cap. With it, "Šokliukas" has adorned only his cherished ones, for example, "Barcelona" forward Samuel Eto‘o, who was one of the team leaders when the club won the Spanish championship again after a break.
But Jimmy is a versatile "Jumper". Jaume Marquetas performs his antics not only on football fields.
Some of the most unexpected and funniest appearances by Jimmy were captured during various Spanish television shows, and the most famous "show" was shown on the TV3 channel in Catalonia. Aired on a talk show, "Jumper" surprisingly did not astonish anything else, but the very Barcelona president Joan Laporta.
Wearing a "barretina", Jimmy managed to sneak into a fashion show dedicated to Salvador Dali.
J. Marquetas is an artist - architect who worships S. Dali's work, and as an inspiration for his profession, he chose the famous Antonio Gaudi.
By the way, this time, Jimmy did not take another attribute - "Barcelona" flag to the fashion show, but he surprised everyone by appearing on stage in black leather briefs with... "Jolly Roger" - a pirate symbol depicting a white skull and crossed bones on the back.
Jimmy is also drawn to cars. On June 9, 2004, during an ordinary Formula-1 "Grand Prix" stage in Barcelona, he ran onto the track while the drivers were warming up.
Jimmy also attracted attention to the tennis court. During the "Davis Cup" match between Carlos Moya and Andy Roddick, Jimmy, appearing calmly, placed a red "barretina" right in the middle of the court. The security guards were stunned, and the spectators - shouting in the stands.
One of the biggest stunts pulled off by Jimmy was when he managed to break into the King's Palace in Madrid and suddenly appeared behind the actual king while he was giving an interview.
By the way, this Catalan's "political career" of appearances did not end there. He managed to sneak unnoticed into a press conference organized by the highest representatives of power in Spain. Only a few minutes later, the engaged politicians noticed that a strange guy with a red cap was sitting with them at the table...
Instead of an epilogue - part 1
Jimmy was also in Paris, but did not run onto the field. However, with his own eyes, he saw Carles Puyol raise the champions trophy over his head and was extremely happy, because he knew that the team he adores had made an unforgettable "jump"...
Instead of an epilogue - part 2
Jimmy's dreams of entering the big screen and receiving an Oscar seem to be coming true. Jaume Marquetas has already filmed in the movie "Jump! A Dreamer’s Day".
The new movie is planned to be completed by the end of the World Cup in Germany and presented at the international film festival in Calgary, Canada. This festival has debuted films like "Fahrenheit 9/11", "The Blair Witch Project", and many others.
In Spain, the premiere of the film is scheduled for September. In it, J. Marquetas talks about what a person can be prepared to do to fulfill their dream. Or maybe another "jump"?
Jump, Jimmy!
