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 evening with mixed results, Cádiz celebrating their return to the big time with a 2-1 win over Poli Ejido, but Málaga B falling to Ejido's neighbours Almería 3-2.

Some 14,000 fans turned up at Cádiz to see their side's first match at this level in nine years against fellow Andalucians Poli Ejido. They had to wait almost an hour though before the first goal, Pavoni heading home a Manolo Pérez corner, and then they were disappointed when De Nigris latched on to Dennis Serban's pass to equalise soon afterwards. There was a happy ending for them though, Oli (who had hit the post in the first half) diving to steer a long header past Kike for an injury time winner and a 2-1 scoreline.

Almería were confident going into their game with Málaga B having beaten their first team 5-0 in a pre-season friendly. And it looked as if things were going the same way when Luna headed them in front from Jorge Pérez's cross, and then Pérez scored a second himself on the rebound with only a half an hour gone. Geijo took an advantage of a defensive error to pull one back, but Cervián restored the two goal cushion before the break with a long shot. However Albert scored again for the visitors early in the second half to make it 3-2, and Robi should have saved a point when he shot straight at Cano in the dying minutes. (30.08.03)

A disappointing start for Rayo Vallecano in their return to the second division, Julen Lopetegui's side falling to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Levante on Sunday lunchtime. Both goals came in the first half, Aganzo rising above the defence to head past Segura, and then Descarga heading a second from a set-piece free kick a few minutes later. The Madrid based side had a chance to pull one back when Palacios was fouled in the area just before half time, but Mora saved Bolo's spot kick.

Excitement at Leganés on Sunday evening, where Daniel Grimback's new project got under way. The Argentine businessman had bought up the club after they were given a reprieve from relegation, and his new manager Carlos Aimar lined up against Salamanca with ten Argentine nationals and one Spaniard (Borja) in the line up. Even so the attendance was only 2,500 (including Argentina's ambassador to Spain), an improvement over last season's crowds but still with a long way to go. The side too is going to take some time to get going, and keeper Leyenda had to make a spectacular save from Robert in the second half to keep the scores level at 0-0. Pepe Domingo hit the post though soon afterwards for the locals, and only when Leyenda was sent off for handling outside of the area did their challenge end.

Whilst Leganés were getting all the headlines though, their relatively poor neighbours Getafe were moving to the top of the table for the first time in their history after beating Sporting Gijon 0-2. Craioveanu hit the post for the visitors in the first half and set up Michel for the first goal after the restart. The Asturians came back looking for the equaliser and Aragoneses did well to save from Ismael. But in the last minute of injury time Vivar Dorado connected with a cross from Rubén Reyes to take his side level with Levante in top spot.

Two of the promotion favourites Tenerife and Alavés met on Sunday evening, with the Canary Islanders running out 1-0 winners. The game started at a frantic pace, but ran out of steam as time rolled on. David Amaral's young side took the lead three minutes before half time when Antonio set up 18 year old forward Airám, who beat Gaspercic with the calm of a veteran. Pepe Mel brought on Iván Alonso and Vucko to join Rubén Navarro after the break, but even with all three on the park they were unable to break down a defence marshalled by ex Valencia centre back Djukic.

An interesting clash in the Condomina stadium as well, where Ciudad de Murcia and Recreativo Huelva drew 1-1. Last season there were two divisions between these teams, but with just a four year history to their name, Ciudad have put together a strong side with many experienced players joining them for their campaign in the second division A. It was a youngster on-loan from Villarreal who gave them the lead though, Héctor Font finishing off after Camiñas played the ball in from the wing late in the first half. Toedtli levelled the scores though after the restart from the penalty spot after Manel brought him down, and after that the two sides settled for a point apiece.

Another newly promoted side kicked off on Sunday evening, Algeciras making their first appearance at this level in 19 years. It wasn't the best of starts though, as they fell 2-1 to old hands Eibar. All three goals came in the second half, with on-loan Athletic Bilbao youngster Bergueña giving the Basque side the lead on the follow up after Arregi's effort was blocked. Zafra made it all square three minutes later with a shot from outside of the area, but new signing Sebastian Romero came on to set up Bergueña to head the winner in the dying minutes. Chico was sent off for the visitors a few minutes before the last goal.

A last minute goal from substitute Sestelo gave Numancia a 1-0 victory over Córdoba. Both sides had brought in several new players over the close season, and the lack of match practise was evident as neither side was able to string more than two passes together. Even so the new signings were the closest to scoring, with Pineda shooting wide early on for the locals and Nico Olivera and Pulpo González both trying their luck for the visitors after the break. Córdoba played the last few minutes with ten men after Berruet got injured with all substitutions already made.

Terrassa and Xerez drew 1-1 in a match which both started cautiously, but which grew in intensity later on. If anything, the Andalucians were the better side in the first half, but the introduction of Molist improved things for the home side. But the visitors went in front first, Jurado (who is back playing football after recovering from cancer) beating Maestro with a low shot. Three minutes later though Molist made it all square to get both sides on the points scoreboard from day one. (31.08.03)

Las Palmas beat Elche 1-2 to record their first win of the season in this midweek match which was postponed from day one due to the bad state of the pitch at the Martínez Valero stadium, which had to be relayed in time for Spain's Euro 2004 qualifier against Ukraine on 10th September. All three goals in this match came in the second half, with Spanish under 21 international Rubén Castro taking advantage of a defensive error to head the Canary Islanders into the lead three minutes after the restart. Moisés made it all square on the hour mark, but ten minutes later Rubén got his second of the night from the penalty spot after a foul by Benja. (17.09.03)