Alavés and Tenerife were both promoted last weekend, but they still had to play off amongst themselves over two legs to decide which of the two will be the second division B champions. Apart from the cash purse, this is only an honourary title though, and neither side took it too seriously. Alavés dominated the first leg though, and they failed to convert several chances before Viguera beat Roberto from outside of the area on the hour mark. And the ex Real Sociedad striker got on the end of Oscar Rubio's cross in the third minute of injury time to give his side a 2-0 lead to take in to next weekend's return match in the Canary Islands.
Real Jaén were one of the two sides to miss out on the group champions play-offs, but they are still on track for a place in one of the other two finals after a 1-1 draw at Lleida on Sunday evening. Mata gave the locals the lead midway through the first half, and the Catalans appeared to be on track for a surprise victory until some sloppy defending let in Miguel Montes for the equaliser in the third minute of injury time. The Andalusians almost won it themselves though when Fran Machado missed another chance a minute later.
Eibar are also looking good for a place in the final round after they came from behind to beat Oviedo 1-2. A 20,000 crowd turned up in the Carlos Tartiere stadium to cheer their side on, and they were rewarded when Aitor Sanz beat Irureta with a shot from the edge of the area midway through the first half. Substitute Maiz made it all square though early on in the second half, and with a couple of minutes to go Guille Roldán got the winner for the Basque side.
Athletic Bilbao B (better known as Bilbao Athletic) also have the edge going in to the second leg after a 2-1 victory over Huracán Valencia earlier in the day. Guillermo put Ziganda's team ahead in only the second minute, and the striker saw his penalty kick saved by Paco after Javi Rubio was sent off some twenty minutes in to the second half. The ten men came back though, Omar converting a second penalty after Albizua fouled San Julián, and it was not until two minutes from the end that Guarrotxena restored the lead for the locals.
Two teams still have to play off to avoid the one remaining relegation spot, Zamora on line to save themselves after beating Constancia 0-1. It was a windy day in Mallorca, but the visitors adapted well to the conditions, and Javi Rodríguez scored the only goal of the match some four minutes after the restart. Whoever goes down though may still have a chance of staying up, as many clubs are struggling to pay their players by the upcoming deadline, and those who don't make it will be automatically relegated. (09.06.13)
The second stage of the promotion play-offs begins this weekend, with tiny Caudal keeping their dreams of a second promotion in a row alive after a 1-0 victory over L'Hospitalet on Saturday evening. The Asturians only came up from the third division last year, and they were up against the group III champions, who had been knocked out of their champions' play-off by Tenerife last weekend. However Prosi gave them the lead shortly before half time, and he and Invernón could have added to the scoreline after the break. Everything will be decided though in Catalunya next weekend. (08.06.13)