The Play-Offs for the Spanish LNFS title will be played starting from today featuring three underdogs.
The winner will be ultimately decided over three intense legs in June that are four days apart from each other and one of the finalists will book their place in the Champions League.
Palma sat close behind them in the final match-day while Barca slipped also, following their cup failures in the Copa de España and Champions League.
The standings at the end are almost worthless but you would think it gives a chance for some underdogs in 5th or 6th to get some prestigious silverware yet in this case it was Barcelona.
El Pozo Murcia finished in pole position of the league table this season but failed drastically to capitalise a less challenging quarter final draw against Vina Albali Valdepeñas.
El Pozo vs Valdepeñas Quarter Final:
An incredibly passionate tie amongst players and fans as Juanan broke the deadlock with a scintillating back hell in the first half. A flurry of miraculous saves from the El Pozo keeper denied Valdepeñas but some relentless offensive pressure and pure classy footwork ensured the away side clinically headed into the second half at 4-2. El Pozo fought back after a probably fiery half-time team talk.
However, the 5-5 scoreline amounted after two halves of mesmerising futsal led to penalties where an unusual amount of saves were made and Valdepeñas celebrated like they have already won the league title.
Semi-Finals:
El Pozo have never placed lower than 8th in an LNFS season so to knockout these titans was an unprecedented achievement from the side west of Murcia.
Their morale is surely sky-high going into their semi-final matches vs Levante whose rollercoaster season hides their fantastic attacking style.
Levante have brought in players such as ex-Barcelona sensation Esteban Guerrero who has proved to be a key asset to this team, contributing to penetrating one touch passes around the pitch and meticulous movements to deceive the opponents and create opportunities. 'Las Granotas' are heading into the semis with an 8-1 victory which reinforces their offensive style but a 5-2 loss against their opponent.
Player Maxi said, "We're going to give our lives to enter the Champions League," as both teams look pumped up seeking a spot in the final.
The other semi-final is between Barca and Palma who actually finished level on point with the leaders El Pozo but lost out to their head-to-head record. They often produced unmatchable defensive displays as they only conceded 67 goals this futsal campaign in the league which is just four more than Barca. It has been outstanding season regardless of the results not falling their way against many of the top 5.
The team from Mallorca have dominated futsal in Spain this season and even forcefully pushed Barca out of the top three.
Renowned pivot Esquerdinha sharpens his aim for the UCL, highlighting Palma's credentials but firmly setting his eyes on the target, "On Saturday the important thing is to get the first point and on Wednesday decide at home. Every season, Palma takes a step forward," he said.
"In recent years, the results have not been so positive there for us, so we have not been able to get so many points, but we must also recognise the merit of a tema that is very compact and defends very well. You have to try to change that streak because the first point is very important."
When and How to Watch?
Saturday 12th June Semi-Finals:
Levante vs Valdepenas - LaLigaSportsTV 17:30 UK Time
Palma vs Barca - GOL 19:30 UK Time
An incredible opportunity to win a league title awaits as the Spanish teams will showcase their full potential in the significant bouts coming up.
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