Second division, day 1

Poor results for all three sides relegated from the first division last season. Rayo Vallecano lost 0-2 to Levante on Sunday lunchtime, Alavés were beaten 1-0 by Tenerife's youngsters, and Recreativo Huelva were held to a 1-1 draw by newly promoted Ciudad de Murcia.

As usual in the second division there were very few goals, but only the match between Leganés and Salamanca ended scoreless. The home side, subject to a take-over recently, lined up with eleven Argentine players at the start. Meanwhile their neighbours Getafe were winning 0-2 at Sporting Gijon.

Not a great start either for most of the Andalucian teams. Newly promoted Algeciras lost 2-1 at Eibar, Córdoba lost 1-0 at Numancia and Xerez drew 1-1 at Terrassa. The game between Elche and Las Palmas was postponed until mid-September as the pitch is being relayed to be ready in time for the Euro 2004 qualifier between Spain and the Ukraine. (31.08.03)

The second division will probably be dominated by teams from the south of Spain after all four promoted sides came from that regional group. Two of them kicked off on Saturday with mixed results, Cádiz celebrating their return to the big time with a 2-1 win over Poli Ejido (thanks to a last minute goal from Oli), but Málaga B falling 3-2 to Ejido's neighbours Almería. (30.08.03)