Oviedo 0 - Real Sociedad 1

Oviedo: Esteban; Keita, Boris (Amieva 60'), Onopko, Danjou; Paulo Bento, Nadj; Pompei (Corbo 70'), Dubovsky (Iván Ania 55'), Losada; Rubén. 4-2-3-1.
Real Sociedad: Alberto; Fuentes, Jauregui, Antia, López Rekarte; Aranburu (Aldeondo 65'), Juan Gómez; Khokhlov (Barkero 70'), Idiakez, De Pedro; De Paula. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Oviedo: Rubén for Dely Valdés / Real: Jauregui, Antia, Aranburu, De Paula for Gurrutxaga, Pikabea, Sa Pinto, Jankauskas.

Goals:
0-1. 73. Barkero. Placed shot after pass from De Pedro on counter-attack.

Real Sociedad beat Oviedo in the last ever match in the Carlos Tartiere stadium. A capacity crowd of 12,000 people turned up to say goodbye to the old ground, with the club moving to a new venue for next season (imaginatively called 'the New Carlos Tartiere stadium') after 68 years at the old one. They were also saying adios to some old faces as well, with Luis Aragonés almost certainly on his way (probably to Mexico, but maybe even to Atlético Madrid), and team captain Paulo Bento leaving the club after several years. It could have been a decisive match for the relegation places, with both clubs down in the lower reaches until only a few games ago, but good recent results by both, coupled with the collapse of Betis, let them off the hook. As a result, it was a festival atmosphere, although Real's manager Javier Clemente warned hi players that he would get very upset if they eased off and let in a goal (even one!). The long season has taken it's toll on everyone, and the San Sebastian side turned up with only 15 fit players, Jankauskas making up the numbers on the bench but not in a condition to play. Most of the injuries were in defence, and young midfielder Jauregui dropped back to play in the back four together with Antia, who has not had many opportunities this season. Aragonés had more luck, and his only change was up front, where Rubén replaced Dely Valdés, who was once again playing for Panama. Both sides started timidly, with Real Sociedad limiting themselves to long shots from outside of the area. Just before half time De Pedro went close with a shot which brushed the post, and a couple of minutes later Alberto did well to hold on to the ball from Dubovsky's shot. The Real goalkeeper was outstanding in the second half, saving from Losada and Rubén amongst others. The turning point in the game however came some 20 minutes from time. Antia just got back in time to stop Rubén's shot as it was going in, and Real came out on the counterattack. De Pedro got the ball and laid on a perfect pass for Barkero to score, the youngster having just come on for Khokhlov only moments earlier. After that the game became scrappy with neither team on the mark, although the ever present Esteban was called upon to save from a De Pedro free kick, and substitute Amieva cleared the ball from in front of goal in the last minute after De Paula had lifted the ball over Esteban.The win was only Real Sociedad's second away from home (the same as Oviedo), and they moved up to their highest place of the season in thirteenth. Oviedo are safe for another year, and can now start to plan next season at their new home. Their first job is to sign a new manager, unless Luis has a last minute change of heart.

Numancia 1 - Betis 2

Numancia: Nuñez; Iñaki, Muñiz, Iván Rocha, Octavio; Castaño, Nagore, Pacheta, Barbu (Rivera 64'); Ojeda (Chispa Delgado 60'), Rubén Navarro (Soria 84'). 4-4-2.
Betis: Valerio; Otero, Crosa, Filipescu (Merino 46'), Rivas; Juan Jesús, Romero, Karhan (Solozábal 73'), Benjamin (Cañas 46'); Cuéllar, Gálvez. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Numancia: Octavio for Soria / Betis: Valerio, Crosa, Rivas, Juan Jesús, Romero, Karhan, Benjamin, Cuéllar, Gálvez for Prats, Vidakovic, Luis Fernández, Merino, Alexis, Cañas, Finidi, Alfonso, Denilson.

Goals:
1-0. 61. Delgado. Header after corner from Barbu. 1-1. 82. Cañas. On goal line after Nagore failed to clear. 1-2. 88. Rivas. Strong shot from edge of area.

This was another match which could have been an end of season relegation battle, but the defeat of Betis against Real Madrid last week ended their chances. All the better for Numancia, who have been dropping steadily down the table in the second half of the season, and they must be thankful that it is all over. It is worth noting that if Betis had won against Madrid, there would now be three way tie between them, Numancia and Oviedo, and after this weekend's results it would have been Numancia who would have gone down. All of that doesn't matter a radish (as we say around here) to Andoni Goikoetxea, manager of Numancia. With the smallest spending budget in the league by far, Goiko put together a side capable of competing with the best. Undefeated at home for most of the season before they lost it near the end, they surprised many of the top teams, including doing the double over champions Deportivo and holding Barcelona and Real Madrid to draws at Soria. Their enthusiastic supporters organised trips to follow their team to the four corners of Spain, something very rare in this country where very few fans even cross the city to watch their sides in local derbies (Barcelona/Espanyol, Atlético/Real Madrid, Betis/Sevilla etc.). Needless to say this match was one big fiesta, with pre-match celebrations and presentations, and barbecues and general festivities going on all through the day. The only thing missing in fact was a last victory, although little it mattered to the 10,000 who packed the stadium to see off their heroes. Unfortunately that may well be more true than it sounds, with Goiko definitely leaving, possibly to go to Atlético Madrid, and other players such as Castaño already signed on for Betis. They have apparently already found a new boss for next season, ex Mérida and Badajoz manager Paco Herrera, who has already had a spell in charge of the Soria based side, saving them from relegation to the second division B in 1998. But for one last time it was Goiko's selection who took to the field, the butcher of Seville who made his reputation in his playing days as the hardest man in Spanish football, and who's tackle (or should we say assassination attempt) on Barcelona's Maradona in the early eighties made headline news around the world. He at least had a full squad to choose from, and the only change was to bring back club captain Octavio in the defence. By contrast Betis's changing room resembled a hospital, with no less than eight players out injured, including Prats, Alfonso, Finidi, Ito, Vidakovic and Alexis, and Denilson suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card in his last match. Stand-in manager Faruk 'Pepe' Hadzibegic was in charge for the last of his three matches on trail, and he had to put together a makeshift side, with trusty Valerio in goal, the odd couple Cuéllar and Gálvez up front and four youngsters in the 16 man squad, including Rivas and Juan Jesús in the starting line up and reserve keeper Doblas and midfielder Romero Sivianes on the bench. Ex Atlético Madrid defender Solazábal also joined the substitutes after being called up for the first time this season. With many of their stars set to leave, Pepe stated before the match that Betis should develop their youth policy while they are in the second division. Unfortunately he may not have the chance to do so, as club president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera is reported to be scouting for a new manager for next season, not being convinced of Hadzibegic's qualities, despite winning two of the last three matches. Betis did win this one, but in fact they did not deserve it, as Numancia dominated for the first 80 minutes. Rubén Navarro, who has renewed his loan contract for next season after turning down an offer from Atlético, was the home side's most active forward, although he did not have the luck he deserved. At half time Betis brought on Merino and Cañas to strengthen midfield, and ten minutes after the break Rivas hit the crossbar with a powerful header. Goiko brought on Chispa Delgado, and the Uruguayan lived up to his nickname, sparking off the match with a goal only seconds after coming on. Towards the end however the festive mood got to the home players and they started to relax, and Betis caught them on the hop with two quick goals which gave them the three points. It was all academic, and most of the Numancia fans probably didn't even notice as they went about their merry way. The season has finished with 999 goals in the league, and the back offices take over as players go off for a well earned rest. They will all be back again in a few weeks time though, so if we don't hear from you in the meantime we wish you all 'buenas vacaciones'.Don't forget to check our pages from time to time however, as we will be keeping you up to date on transfer news and the Euro 2000 tournament. It never ends, does it?