The province of Girona faces a series of promotion playoffs starting this weekend with 25 teams involved in four categories of Catalan football. The main focus is on Palamós, which will open the first leg of the semifinals to move up to Lliga Elit tomorrow at 5 p.m. against Viladecans.
The detail that marks the start of these playoffs is the minimal distance between the initial objective and the dean's real starting point. Palamós aimed to finish the league as champions, but ended up second, just one point behind Argentona, and will have to fight for promotion in a play-off after closing the regular season with a 2-3 loss against Lloret.
Palamós reaches the tie after earning thirteen out of fifteen points with Juanola
Marçal Juanola took over in mid-April after the dismissal of Carlos Polvillo and has changed the team's momentum in the final stretch. Under his leadership, Palamós has strung together four consecutive victories and a draw, earning thirteen of the last fifteen possible points.
"The objective of the season was to finish first, because we have an incredible squad. We tried to compete for the position, but it ended up being a play-off that we are more than prepared to face. I am convinced that we will rise to the occasion" - Marçal Juanola, Palamós coach
The other tie in these Lliga Elit semifinals will pit Igualada against Turó Peira. The Palamós tie will start at Viladecans' home ground, with the Girona team boosted by a comeback that allowed them to stay alive until the final matchday.
After taking over the bench, Juanola also attributed part of the loss of the lead to points dropped in matches that penalized the team during the season. The coach added that the squad, young but balanced with the contribution of the veterans, enters the play-off with a level of commitment that was even noticeable in the locker room after the league ended.
Bescanó, Arbúcies, Begur, and Porqueres are fighting for a single spot in Primera Catalana
The fight for promotion to Primera Catalana will be another focus of the weekend in the Girona regions. Bescanó will host Begur today at 4:30 p.m., and Arbúcies will play tomorrow at the same time at home against Porqueres.
The final standings in group 1 left Porqueres second with 60 points, Begur third with 51, Bescanó fourth with 49, and Arbúcies fifth with 48. This entire block will compete for a single promotion spot.
The four also arrive with different runs in the closing of the season. Porqueres has only lost two games in their last 19 matches, Bescanó links three wins, Arbúcies has only conceded one of their last six games and Begur faces the tie after losing their last two home games.
In Arbúcies, furthermore, the presidency falls to the actor and comedian Fel Faixedas. His team will seek to continue a stable final stretch against a Porqueres that starts with the best score of the four contenders.
Four Gerona teams seek promotion to Segona Catalana and nine more fight for Tercera
The playoffs to ascend to Segona Catalana will also begin today with the presence of four teams from the province. Camprodon will host Vista Alegre at 5 p.m., Santjoanenc will visit Jesús i Maria de Tarragona at 6 p.m., Sils-La Selva will play on the field of Mas Pellicer de Reus at 6:15 p.m. and Bellcaire will play at the Municipal de Vallmoll de Tarragona at 6:30 p.m.
The Gerona contingent is even larger in the fight for Tercera Catalana. Among them are Agullana, Roses City, Vilamalla, Camallera, Hostoles, Maià, Camós, Castellfollit, Sant Hilari, Fogars, GEiEG, l'Atlètic Club Lloret, Sant Ponç, Montessori, La Punxa, Tossa B and Puigcerdà, in addition to Sallent B.
Among these matchups, tomorrow Agullana and Roses City will face each other at 6 p.m., Vilamalla and Camallera at 5 p.m., and GEiEG against l'Atlètic Club Lloret at 12 p.m. Today Hostoles will play against Maià at 4:30 p.m., Camós against Castellfollit at 6 p.m., Sant Hilari against Fogars at 4 p.m., La Punxa against Tossa B at 6 p.m. and Puigcerdà against Sallent B at 8 p.m.
The last tie with Gerona representation in this category will pit Sant Ponç against Montessori tomorrow at 7 p.m.