I wanted to start this week with a shout out to a brand new Women’s football team. Women’s football is going great guns around the World especially in the Uk and here in Spain. Up to the age of 14 girls here in the Balearics can play in boys teams but after that they have to go to an adult team. Which is a little daunting for some, so this new team are there to bridge that gap. Playas de Calvia and one of their coaches Leon Blakeley are inviting female players to join them every Monday and Wednesday from 19.00 to 20.30 at the pitch in Son Ferrer. We have a good history of producing women’s footballers here, three of the Barcelona ladies squad that gubbed Chelsea in the Champions League Final are from Mallorca. Reserve Goalkeeper Cata Coll, was born in Portol, played for UD Collerense and has done some training with my youngest goalkeeper Son Jude. Forward Mariona Caldentey was born in Felanitx and played for UD Collerense and finally midfielder Patri Guijarro who was born in Palma, played for CF Patronato and UD Collerense before moving to Barcelona at the age of 17. This is a great opportunity and maybe one you’ll be playing for Barcelona too.
It was great to get back to watching Real Mallorca in La Liga again and with my two boys made it even more enjoyable. I thought they dominated the game against Espanyol and probably should have won by more than the 1-0 score line. Dani Rodriguez got the winning goal and in most people’s eyes the man of the match. But I would have given it to Baba in central midfield as he dominated the midfield and doing all the unseen, unpretty work which paved the way for the win. Former coach Vincente Moreno got a bit of gub from the fans and didn’t seem to enjoy his return. So a good three points and by the end of the weekend they lie in sixth place. Coach Luis Garcia Plaza said “It is the most complete match we have played against RCD Espanyol. We were superior – especially in the first half. The boys had a great game.” “This is LaLiga and we will suffer. There will be bad luck, and after the break there are three very complicated matches against Athletic Club, Villarreal CF and Real Madrid.” “We have to enjoy the moment, we have seven points and no one is taking that away from us.”
A good transfer window too, in the last week we saw South Korean international Kang In Lee and American international Matthew Hoppe arrive to strengthen an already strong squad. With Japanese International Kubo arriving earlier in the window, the club now have a major foothold into the Asian and American markets. No surprise that they have a new Japanese sponsor for the front of their shirts. Also the club have approached the City council to remove the running track and make the fan experience even better. I like what the owners are doing and long may they continue.
As far as starts away from home go it couldn’t have gone much better for Atlético Baleares. A 0-2 away victory against Cornelia was a great result. The man of the match was number 10 and Captain, Canario who was a thorn in the side of the team from Catalonia all game. Baleares settled their nerves as early as the 8th minute when a cross from the left found its way to Canario who gratefully buried it. The game turned in the 30th minute when Cornelia left back Rulo inexplicably head butted Canario right on the nose. I can’t believe he tried to maintain his innocence as it was clearly a Glasgow kiss of full proportions! Down to 10 men it was a struggle for Cornelia but they did have a great opportunity in the 41st minute. Goalkeeper Rene who was the preferred choice ahead of Xavi Genard came out to the edge of his area and punched away a free kick only for one of the Cornelia defenders to lob the ball back goal-wards. It bounced a couple of yards before the goal-line, hit the bar and dropped back into Rene’s grateful arms. There weren’t too many alarms in the second half and the game was over as a contest in the 55th minute when a good run from left back Jesus Alvaro led to the ball arriving at Canario’s feet and he couldn’t miss from 8 yards out. They managed to see the rest of the game out to finish 0-2 winners.
Coach Xavi Calm said after the game “Only by playing and competing as a team can you win in a stadium like this. It was in my opinion a deserved victory.
This Sunday the 5th of September at 12 Midday they play current league leaders Albacete who beat CD Castellón 3-1 last weekend. They are allowed a crowd of 2,200, which means all 2,100 season ticket holders will be allowed to enter and another 100 tickets are available online. I’m going along with my youngest son and at the time of writing there we’re still tickets available on their website at just 10€ each.
UD Ibiza got their first win of the season with a 1-2 victory away at Leganés. Three games in and their still unbeaten with a win and two draws. They definitely seem to be holding their own, as they currently lie in sixth place. This Sunday at 16.00 they are at home to SD Amorebieta who were bottom of the table last week until they beat promotion favourites Almeria 2-1. Should be an interesting match in front of a crowd of 50% of their capacity.
Segunda División RFEF starts this weekend with four of our Balearic teams in action.
Peña Deportiva v Ejea, 12 noon Sunday
Tarazona v Andratx 12 noon Sunday
SD Formentera v Ibiza Pitiusas 18.00 Sunday
The winner will go up to Segunda RFEF and the next four will play off for the other place.
Tercera División RFEF starts too. This is going to be a keenly contested league, with teams from Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The winner will go up to Segunda RFEF and the next four will play off for the other place.
Santanyi v Collerense
Sant Jordi v Manacor
Binissalem v Inter Ibiza
Llosetense v Constància
Poblense v Campos
Platges de Calvià v Murense
Ibiza Sant Rafel v Son Veri
Mallorca B v Portmany
Rotlet Molinar v Mercadal
Soller v Felanitx
Finally this week, Division Honor, the highest division in youth football begins this week. We have three teams from the Balearics competing.
UD U Bellvitge v Real Mallorca
CD San Francisco v Espanyol
Atlético Baleares v Cornelia
Take care everyone.
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com
A Kick in the Balearics 