On a Work and Recuperation Sunday, a Shocking Result in Serie A

Sunday, March 16, 2025

As is the norm on the day after a Mariners game, I spent the morning looking at yesterday's game video on the HUDL app.

It was just as frustrating to watch on Sunday as it was on Saturday.

We continue to have problems defending the deep pass regardless of the coverage called, containing athletic import QBs is an ongoing issue, our Special Teams had major lapses and now injuries are mounting up to add to the mix.

We now have but two games left in the regular season. We'll travel about seven hours by bus on Saturday to Zaragoza, spend the night in a hotel and play the Hurricanes (1-5) at Noon on Sunday.

The following weekend we will host the Osos Rivas (4-3).

Today, in a shocking turn of events the Hurricanes upset the Osos, 23-6. We are led to believe that the Osos split ways with their import QB before the game and played their Spanish QB instead.

That being said, the Zaragoza win makes our game even tougher this coming Sunday.

To set the game situation up, we must take a look at the possible post season scenarios.

First, in each of the two Spanish Serie A Conferences, the First and Second place teams make the National Championship playoffs.

Then, although there is no playoff berth for them, the Third and Fourth place teams are guaranteed a spot in the Serie A circuit in 2026.

Which brings us to the two clubs that finish in Fifth/Last place in their respective conferences. They will meet in a post-season play down game with the winner remaining in Serie A in 2026 and the loser being relegated to Serie B next year. The loser of this play down game will be replaced in Serie A in 2026 by whoever wins the 2025 Serie B Championship.

All that being said, the loser of our Mariners (1-5) at Zaragoza (1-5) will be participating in the play down game. In the first meeting between our two clubs back on February 1st, in Gijón, the Mariners came from behind to win 13-7.

In the afternoon, we got a call from Mariners Team President Kike Prado Alonso who suggested we meet for a stroll and a Vermouth.

Why not!

As always, Kike knew a spot

It was in Gijón's oldest neighborhood, the Cimavilla.

When we got there, all of the Cimavilla spots, including la Pequeña, that were open on this glorious sunny day were packed.

Not to worry, Kike, the de facto Mayor of Gijón found a table where two of his friends were enjoying a drink and gladly asked us to them.

Kike with Tini and Marcos

The discussion started with great tales about Marcos' one trip to the West Coast a few years ago when he and friends rented a van in San Francisco and then toured Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and Los Angeles.

Eventually, the topic morphed into one about the current state of the USA under its new leadership.

We all expressed our concerns about where the Trump Administration is leading both America and the world.

Enough said, let's get back on topic . . .

 

. . . Spanish architecture and house colors

More of the Sunday crowd in the Cimavilla

Same crowd, opposite view

We were sunning ourselves on a

street called Tránsito de las Ballenas

I really don't think that whales (ballenas) ever really were in transit down this steep street.

But then again, who knows?

The results of Sunday's two Serie A games:

Mallorca (2-4) with an important

Eastern Conference victory

over L'Hospitalet (2-5)

In the Western Conference,

Zaragoza (1-5) shocks Rivas (4-3)

Now for a recap of all of the Serie A Week 8 action.

LNFA Serie A

Western Conference Week 8 Results

Las Rozas (7-0) 48 - Gijón (1-5) 13

Zaragoza (1-5) 23 - Rivas (4-3) 6

BYE: Coslada (3-3)

Western Conference Standings

1. Las Rozas Black Demons 7-0

2. Osos Rivas 4-3

3. Coslada Camioneros 3-3

4T. Gijón Mariners 1-5

Zaragoza Hurricanes 1-5

Western Conference Week 9 Schedule

Saturday, March 22, 2025

Las Rozas (7-0) at Coslada (3-3) 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Gijón (1-5) at Zaragoza (1-5) 11:00 a.m.

BYE: Rivas (4-3)

LNFA Serie A

Eastern Conference Week 8 Results

Mallorca (2-4) 21 - L'Hospitalet (2-5) 14

Badalona (6-1) 34 - Barcelona (1-4-1) 0

BYE: Terrassa (4-1-1)

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Badalona Dracs 6-1

2. Terrassa Reds 4-1-1

3. Mallorca Voltors 2-4

4. L'Hospitalet 2-5

5. Barcelona Pagesos 1-4-1

Eastern Conference Week 9 Schedule

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Barcelona (1-4-1) at Mallorca (2-4) Noon

Badalona (6-1) at Terrassa (4-1-1) Noon

BYE: L'Hospitalet (2-5)

In the evening, we went out for a nightcap.

We both enjoy this eclectic bar located

just a few blocks from the apartment

Now it's on to Zaragoza Game Week . . .