WHILE history is made between Catalans Dragons at the Nou Camp on Saturday, Warrington Wolves fans will recall the first time Barcelona played host to Super League 10 years ago.
The Wire faced the French side in the Catalonian capital city 10 years ago in what was the first, and until Saturday the only, Super League game played on Spanish spoil.
An invasion of primrose-and-blue clad supporters, set on enjoying a carnival weekend, were among the 18,150 crowd cheering their heroes to a 24-12 victory.
Pictures by Mike Boden
> VIEW: Face in the Crowd - Barcelona special, from 10 years ago
It was a very special weekend for many reasons, including the way the Wire and Catalans fans mixed and partied together in a celebration of sporting friendship.
The difference on that occasion was that the fixture was played at the Olympic Stadium.
This time, Catalans' invitation from Barcelona FC to play at their iconic Camp Nou - where an attendance over 20,000 is expected - comes as a result of the Dragons' maiden Challenge Cup triumph at the expense of The Wire at Wembley last August.
Catalans left the Wire floored at Wembley in 2018
Wigan fans heading south will be able to marvel, as The Wire fans did, at all that stunning Barcelona offers as a sightseeing experience while also enjoying a game of rugby league.
From the giant basilica La Sagrada Família by Antonio Gaudí, to Barcelona's famous boulevard Las Ramblas, there is so much to take in.
But will the Wigan fans be cheering at the end of the trip in the way that the Wire supporters were?
For expansion purposes and generating new fans and revenue streams, Catalans will be especially determined to leave a wider mark on a region whose name they have carried since becoming established 13 years ago.
> READ: How Wolves defeated Catalans in Barcelona on June 20, 2009
And it could be that Warrington's win in the intense and bruising cup battle with Wigan last weekend could take some toll on the legs of the players in cherry and white.
Ten years ago it was The Wire hooker Jon Clarke who scored the clinching try, while Chris Bridge, Matt King and Chris Riley also touched down for a side in its first season under the guidance of Tony Smith.
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