The latest results and the restructuring of the category mean that it has gone from fighting for the title to trying to avoid relegation
Last weekend’s defeat against Recreativo La Orden (3-4) left Badminton Oviedo touched in their aspirations to play the ‘play off’ to retain the title of champion. The Oviedo team looks askance at the relegation zone after the replacement on the bench, with the return of Fran Dacal, has not had, for the moment, the expected result.
The Carbayón team stood up to the group’s top finisher and carried out the men’s doubles match and the two men’s and women’s singles matches, although they were insufficient against a great rival and the duel was decided by details.
Despite the defeat, the technical director of the Asturian team, César González, believes that “we competed at a high level and it is a pity that victory eluded us, but it is the path and line of action facing the last two confrontations that we have”.
The restructuring of the highest category means that this year the Top-10 Honor Division is made up of two groups of five teams. The Blues are third, but have the same points as the fourth-placed team, their next rival. Fighting for the ‘play off’ is almost impossible for the current champion, who sees the relegation zone close. Those from Dacal need to win the two remaining games -against Pontevedra and Benalmádena- to avoid dangerous positions.
‘We still have options’
“It is a very short new league format, that you can be up or down very quickly. We still have options,” says the new coach. The objective is clear. “Winning the remaining two days and thus staying one more year in the highest category,” adds González. In the locker room of the Oviedo team they also know that they depend on themselves to be one more season among the best rackets on the circuit. “It’s time to continue working and to the fullest,” says the young Laura Álvarez.
