The futsal team CMO Valves Lauburu Ibarra will not be promoted to the Second Division this year. The team lost the playoff match against Xerez, after drawing 4-4 on Saturday in Belabieta. In the first leg, they had lost 3-2 on the opponent's court, meaning they needed to win at home. Despite coming close, they ultimately fell short by one goal.
“"It's been a shame, because we were very close to advancing."
The first leg in Jerez de la Frontera was very special. As Valverde explained, "we played in front of an incredible crowd. We weren't intimidated, we held our heads high, and what we experienced was spectacular. The team responded brilliantly, and we returned happy and excited, because we knew that if we did good work at home, we would have a chance to advance".
In the home match, they took a 2-0 lead. Xerez then equalized, and Lauburu went ahead again. Later, Xerez took a 3-4 lead, and the local team brought on their flying goalkeeper. They managed to equalize, and despite having time to score the winning goal, they couldn't. "I think the key was going up 2-0 and the fouls we committed," said Valverde. After the fifth foul, each subsequent foul results in a double penalty. "They had two shots, and their pivot scored both, and that was one of the keys. I always say that after committing the fourth foul, you shouldn't let the opponent provoke a foul, because the referee might call it. Three were questionable, and they called all three".
Once the 4-4 draw was achieved, the assistant coach stated that the opponents had turned the game around: "They were visibly tired. You could see in their faces that we were getting on top of them, that we were better, and that there was incredible strength and spirit. Furthermore, the stands were packed, and we had our chance there, but we didn't take it." Valverde mentioned they were "much better" in positional play, "but you need to know how to play these games, and their maturity showed that".
He particularly appreciated the support from the stands: "We always find Belabieta very familiar. We have many children learning in the academy, and it's noticeable that we are sometimes like a school, and that's nice, but the spirit and the desire to cheer that were experienced this weekend are also nice. So many young people cheering, jumping, singing... That's beautiful!".
The players were "devastated". "We have to consider that being in the Second Division is a great opportunity for them. Most of them are very young players, and reaching that level is already professionalism for them. They are always there, year after year, and it was very important for them to reach the final and get promoted." Valverde added that now it's time to suffer, and therefore the process must be valued more: "Promotion is what we experience, but we must value the daily training, the daily work, the daily experiences... If we don't value those, everything collapses".
The season has concluded for CMO Valves Lauburu Ibarra. They are now immersed in planning for the next season. The head coach, Mikel Diestro, will not continue with the club, and the club will soon announce who will take over that position. "Now the most important thing is the players," said Valverde. "We need to look after our local players, we want them to stay with us. And we'll see if those good players we bring from outside want to be with us. We'll have to see what kind of team we build".
