For 23-years, sports giant Nike and Spain’s top-flight football governing body La Liga has enjoyed a tight relationship. However, the rumors bursting out of Spain look to have confirmed that relationship will come to a close at the end of this season after La Liga signed a deal with Puma to supply the league with footballs for the next three seasons. The deal is reportedly worth around $5.6 million per year and sees the German sports brand trump one of their biggest rivals. Why the change? La Liga president Javier Tebas wants a ball that is exclusive to La Liga and … [Read more...]
The Getafe Gate-Crashers out to Make History
At the end of the 2009/10 Spanish top-flight season Barcelona were celebrating their 20th La Liga title, Atletico Madrid were left frustrated down in ninth and Xerez had just been relegated from their one and only appearance in the big time (the club now plays in the fourth tier of Spanish football). However, there was another story that went under the radar unless you hail from a city located in the Madrid metropolitan area known as Getafe. That season, the club achieved its highest ever finish since the club’s reformation in 1983. Sixth place a still unbeaten haul of 58-points … [Read more...]
Bilbao win to give Gaizka Garitanoa a perfect start
It was meant to be the match that kick-started new Bilbao head coach Gaizka Garitano’s La Liga reign off to the perfect start to follow up that sublime 4-0 thumping of Huesca in the Copa Del Rey midweek. And that is exactly what it proved to be despite leaving it until the 90th minute in order to beat highflying Girona on Monday night thanks to an Aritz Adruiz penalty. That means that since taking over the Bilbao hot seat on the 4th December, Garitano has already achieved the same number of victories (2) as his predecessor managed. Two matches and two wins is a superb start and it … [Read more...]
The Irish Students Who Brought Football to Northern Spain
With thanks to Jose Miguel Morales; without his help, this article wouldn’t have been possible. ‘Build it and they will come’ is the refrain that shakes ghosts out of the cornfields in Kevin Costner’s hit movie Field of Dreams; it’s a sentiment that betrays the often-static nature of America’s pastime. Football, on the other hand, has always been fast and frenetic, from the days when the sport offended Victorian virtues to now, where players have been scarcely fitter, the sport more refined. Football, then, has moved outward. Thomas Donohoe brought the beautiful game to Brazil; James … [Read more...]
Just what is going wrong at Valencia……..Again?
This season Valencia Club de Fútbol is currently enjoying their 99th year of existence and after the revival of last season in which the club once again qualified for the Champions League, much excitement was set in place ahead of this campaign. However, twelve games in, it is safe to say it has not gone to plan for manager Marcelino and many sportsbooks such as www.novibet.co.uk may well start offering some serious value on the former Sevilla leaving his post sooner rather than later if he cannot repeat last season’s top four. After all, Valencia firmly believe themselves to be one of … [Read more...]
Weekend Round Up: Anyone’s for the Taking
If this weekend of La Liga action has taught us anything, it is that anyone can beat anyone, and the title race may be in its infancy, but already it is anyone's for the taking. After all, who would have predicted that in both Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s last two league games (including this weekends) both sides would only take one point from a possible six? Or that newly promoted Valladolid would provide an early season hammer blow to Villarreal? Well, that is exactly what has happened as we take a look back at the action of week seven so far. Big Boys Struggling The table … [Read more...]
The Hugo Blanco Interview – How La Liga is Changing World Football
Ponerse el overol is a common expression in the footballing lexicon of the Spanish language. To illustrate its meaning, the Bleacher Report pointed to Carles Puyol, a man who went above and beyond for his team, a player that felt and bled the blaugrana colours. In essence, it refers to one who does more than is expected. Above that singular player lies the club, and above the club stands the league. In this instance, LaLiga is the organization whose principal responsibility is to give order and organize the league and cup matches. But it’s also extending its limbs into an ever expanding … [Read more...]
Huesca Learning Quickly That La Liga is a Harsh Place
Fifty-eight years after SD Huesca’s official birth, the football club from the Gates of the Pyrenees in the region of Aragon and to the Northeast of Zaragoza earned its place at the top of Spain’s football pyramid after ending 2nd in last seasons Segunda campaign. After promotion was confirmed, little Huesca was immediately instilled as favourites for the drop by those who enjoy gambling on sports with plenty of reason. After all, this is a club with no pedigree in La Liga and whose highest ever finish prior to the 2017/18 season was a sixth place in the Segunda. Also, with its El … [Read more...]
Who Will Come Out on Top When Valencia Travel to Villarreal?
It is the ultimate battle of the sides beginning with V, as two teams with rich La Liga heritage collide on Sunday in what is, without doubt, the standout fixture in Spain’s top flight this weekend. As the pair have been involved in European exploits mid-week, the playing field has been somewhat levelled with the La Liga soccer betting for this game set to paint a picture of an even contest, but one that you will not want to miss. So, who is going to win? Recent form Villarreal Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica is not one of the larger stadia in Spain, but it does lack for … [Read more...]
Three Games to Watch out for This Weekend
The International break is over with Spanish football riding high after impressive wins over first England, then a 6-0 thumping of World Cup finalists Croatia. Despite the national team’s summer woes, the is the sense that something special could be about to emerge once again as former Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique has started to stamp his authority on the side. That positivity looks set to make its mark on this weekend round of La Liga fixtures as we highlight three games you simply won’t want to miss this weekend. Huesca v Rayo Vallecano - Friday Both these sides have been in … [Read more...]