PREVIEW OF SUNDAYS HOME FIRST PLAYOFF MATCH
UD Lanzarote begin the second phase of this season´s much changed league structure at home tomorrow 2nd May at 12 noon versus Tenerife side CD Buzanada. The match will be shown live on https://youtube.com/user/LanzaroteDeportivaTV
The league was split into two groups this season with the top three in each group A and B going into a league playoff with six teams, two of which will be promoted to Segunda B (Third Tier).
The teams in both groups that finished in 4th, 5th and 6th spot also go into a playoff group. Lanzarote did superbly finishing in 6th spot after a disastrous start to the campaign, earning a win in their final game with six minutes to spare and thus avoiding the relegation playoffs. This now gives the Rojillos a glimmer of hope that they will be playing football in Spain’s Bronze league next season.
Each team from both groups take their points with them going into these playoffs. This will sound rather strange however it is very well thought by the Spanish Football Federation. What does make this more complicated is that Lanzarote´s initial group had 10 teams whilst group B consisted of 11 teams, therefore group B played two more matches.
This all means that points won’t decide who finishes in the top two and onto the next stage of playoffs but percentages will. Lanzarote are already bottom of this six team league because they played 18 games and accumulated 24 points which means they have 1.33% whereas tomorrows opponents finished 4th in their group with 32 points but played 20 matches meaning they are currently in 2nd spot on 1.60%. Needless to say that if the Rojillos are going to have any chance of making the top two then they need a great start, not only to improve their percentage but also so that their rivals drop their percentages. (check out league table below).
Teams in group A will only play teams in group B both home and away so the Rojillos have 6 games where they must move from the bottom (6th) to at least 2nd in the league table.
Tomorrows opponents missed out on competing in the easier playoffs by a single point. Had they won and not drawn (0-0) their final match of the season last week then they would have been in the higher group.
Lanzarote should go into this league with the attitude of that they have little to lose. Whatever happens now, they are at the very least guaranteed that they will be staying in this division and this is a super achievement considering all the problems that have taken place over the course of the season.
The Trifulka fan club have been assisting various charities on the island for families who are in a desperate position and basically are in dire need of food. They are asking for anyone attending the match or passing the stadium if they could drop off a bag of rice, pasta or any non perishable food items. These foodstuffs can be left with Gemma and Donna who run the Sports Bar up the road from the stadium or with the Emerlan van that will be near the stadium. No food items can be taken into the match. Alternatively at any time items can be dropped into our shop in Costa Teguise Mon-Fri 10am – 1pm. Everything will be delivered to people in need.
The online raffle will not take place tomorrow; it will more than likely be at the following home match on the 16th May or possibly the final home game on the 30th May. There are 7 prizes to win and tickets are 5 Euros or 5 for 20 Euros and you can enter now on https://gofund.me/7d5eb7a6
Those who have the tickets for tomorrows match remember to bring either your passport or driving licence as I.D. Inside the ground it is forbidden to smoke, eat or drink (other than water) and please follow all the club protocols. At the end of the match club stewards will ask you to leave in sections so please follow the guidelines that have been set by the Cabildo.
No tickets for this match are available on match day.
