Abdon Prats will always be a fan favourite at Real Mallorca. The centre forward who was born in Arta here on the island, will go down in history as the player that scored the winning goal in the play-off game against Deportivo La Coruña. This week he renewed his contract at the club until 2024. He’s the second top scorer this season with eight, just one behind the top scorer Amath. He’s a good player in La Liga Smartbank but I’m not sure he’ll be a starter next season if Mallorca make it into La Liga. Two years ago when in La Liga, he didn’t start one game under Vincente Moreno, he came on in 20 games but failed to score one goal.
Real Mallorca got a valuable point away at Malaga last Sunday. It meant they are six points clear of Almeria with four games left to go. Espanyol are now promoted and Mallorca will join them if they win two out of those four games. Starting this weekend at home to Alcorcon, kicking off Sunday at 20.45. A kick-off brought forward as Mallorca have been allowed to let fans in this weekend. 4,086 is the number and this applies to season ticket holders who have to apply via the website. The lucky ones will know via email after the club do a draw Saturday morning. I hope I am one!
After an iffy start which continued into mid season and meant replacing their coach, Atlético Baleares have turned their season around. Xavi Calm who took over from Jordi Roger completely changed the team and they have now assured themselves into Primera RFEF. Now is the time for them to build a squad to try and get themselves into La Liga Smartbank. Xavi has signed a new contract but I would be interested to know if te fans think he is the right man going forward? Having fired Jordi Roger as coach the club have re-employed him as their Sporting Director. I’m not sure if that’s a good decision either? If he was the guy that helped put the squad together which didn’t work why would you put him in charge again next season? Once again I would be interested to know the fans thoughts. One player who was a success this season was centre forward Vinicius Tanque and it’s a shame to hear that he has returned to his parent club Cartagena. In 23 games he scored 11 goals and 3 assists and was the leagues top scorer. I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to get him back next season.
UD Ibiza play Real Madrid Castilla in of the play-off semi-finals to win a place in the Final play-offs that will lead ultimately to La Liga Smartbank. It will be an interesting game against Real Madrid’s youngsters who are managed by former club legend Raul. Interestingly they’ll be 3 players from the islands playing for Madrid against Ibiza. Defender Pablo Ramon who played in Mallorca for Son Caliu and Real Mallorca. Midfielder Marvin Park who also played in Mallorca for Ciutat de Palma, La Salle and Penya Arrabal. Finally midfielder Xavi Sintes who played in Menorca for Sant Lluis, UD Mahon, Villacarlos and in Mallorca for Real Mallorca. It won’t be easy for Ibiza who have pretty much dominated the majority of the teams they have played this season, but I expect them to get through.
Congratulations to Peña Deportiva who after struggling at the beginning of the season have managed to turn it around with a brilliant run in and got themselves into Segunda RFEF. Coach Raul Casany has done a tremendous job and Peña will hope they can hang onto him.
UD Poblense have two games to stay in Segunda RFEF or be relegated to Tercera RFEF. Even if they win those two games they’re not assured of staying up but it’s the only option they have.
In Tercera, congratulations to CD Ibiza Islas Pitiusas who have got themselves promoted to Segunda RFEF. The other place is still up for grabs and the two protagonists, Andratx and Platges de Calvia play each other this weekend in a winner takes all game. Neither team are on form so it will be a nail biting game that kicks-off at 19.30 Saturday evening in Andratx.
In Division Honor, Real Mallorca and CD San Francisco are currently in position to stay in the league. Penya Arrabal are staring at relegation and Atlético Villacarlos from Menorca are relegated. This weekend Mallorca play seventh placed Stadium Casablanca, San Fran play third placed Huesca, Penya play fifth placed Lleida Esportiu and Villacarlos play eighth placed Jabac Terrassa.
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
Dad Taxi Mallorca 