Puente Genil, Córdoba, is abuzz with excitement following the sale of a winning EuroMillions lottery ticket worth €41.2 million at the local lottery office, La Aguja de Oro. On the morning of Saturday, December 28, the administration was overwhelmed with customers eager to share in the good fortune and excitement.
"Esto es una locura!" exclaimed Jesús Pérez, the husband of the lottery office’s manager, Virginia Florido, as he tried to handle the influx of visitors. The couple found out about their monumental win late on Friday evening when they received a call from the delegate of Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, informing them they had sold the only ticket awarded the first prize, known as Primera Categoría (5 + 2), validated within Spain.
The winning ticket was sold at Despacho Receptor Nº 27.360, located on Susana Benítez Street. The excitement was palpable, and many from the local community and surrounding areas rushed to the office, hoping to catch some of the winning vibes. "We’re very nervous and very happy. We still can’t believe it," Pérez stated, reflecting the disbelief shared by many onlookers.
During the morning, long queues snaked outside the shop as people flocked inside to inquire about the win and try their luck at purchasing additional tickets. The buzz of conversations confirmed the local lore of La Aguja de Oro as being blessed with luck. "We get buses full of people from other areas around Christmas, and it’s very likely someone from outside the village could have won this time," Pérez noted.
The Euromillions results show the winning combination included the numbers 45, 33, 12, 27, and 22, with stars 4 and 8. The total pool for the draw amounted to €49.8 million across Spain, with two other second category tickets sold, bringing home €129,991.85 each, one to Móstoles and the other to Madrid. While the reports detailed the figures, it was the sheer magnitude of over 41 million euros transforming lives locally and possibly beyond, capturing imaginations and hopeful dreams.
The sense of wonder at the visibly large sum accentuated the magical atmosphere: "Es una cifra tan larga que hay que pararse dos veces para leerla," Jesús quipped, adding humor to the excitement. He also humorously expressed the shared hope among locals, saying, "Ya podrían tener la gentileza de repartirlo. ¡Aunque fuera un piquito!" reflecting on how wonderful it would be if some of the wealth spread around, even if only as small part of the grand prize.
Many locals are speculating who the lucky ticket holder may be, with whispers of possible visitors this holiday season who bought their tickets at the popular spot renowned for its holiday illumination and festivity, courtesy of the Ximenez Group which decorates the region. The season has been busy with visitors marveling at light displays alongside the luck and hope generated by the lottery environment.
Beyond the immediate joy, the success of La Aguja de Oro resonates due to its recent performance; it had previously sold winning lottery tickets during this Christmas period, providing local anecdotes of prosperity and community connection sparked by the lottery system. Having touted smaller but significant wins before, the expectation of potential joy doubles as Florido and Pérez process their newfound accolade.
While the identities of the ticket holders may remain shrouded in mystery for some time, the undeniable impact of the win brought local camaraderie and conversations around hope, destiny, and dreams of riches. Everyone from kids with treats to senior citizens enjoying the festivities are wrapped up in the fairy tale of luck.
Looking forward, future EuroMillions draws promise continued excitement, with next draws ensuring flourishing participation. The next jackpot will balloon to €17 million for the ticket holders of Primera Categoría (5 + 2). The promise for tomorrow remains embedded within today’s joy.
For now, Puente Genil shines not just under dazzling lights, but also illuminated by the glow of possibility, dreams, and shared aspirations, magnified through the power of winning the lottery—a ticket not just for wealth, but for community celebration and togetherness.
