THE streets of Tenerife were filled with jubilant fans on Sunday as CD Tenerife were promoted back to where they belong!
After two years in the wilderness, they secured their place in the Second Division A – one step below La Liga (Real Madrid, Barcelona et al) – after winning their Segunda B play-off decider against Catalonian side CE L’Hospitalet, 3–2 on aggregate.
That they lost 1-0 away in Sunday’s scrappy second-leg encounter mattered not a jot to their ecstatic followers, who celebrated long and loud into the night, to the never-ending accompaniment of tooting cars.
More than 1,000 fans made the trip to Catalonia, and as many as 4,000 supporters jam-packed Tenerife South airport to salute their heroes.
They saw them win 3-1 the previous week at the Heliodoro stadium, which was insurance enough to see CDT through after they had led their third division all season.
The promotion to senior football after the heartache of losing last season’s play-off final brings with it a real feel-good factor not just for the team but for Tenerife as a whole.
The promotion to senior football after the heartache of losing last season’s play-off final brings with it a real feel-good factor, not just for the team but for the Island as a whole.
It is said that football is a universal language, bringing the world together. And, hopefully, it will help draw the Island’s inhabitants closer together and formulate a sense of fighting spirit to get through the current economic chapter.
Tribute must be paid to CDT’s 47-year-old coach, Álvaro Cervera Diaz, who plotted their way through the Segunda B maze with calmness and maturity all season.
No wonder the players tossed him in the air on the Hospitalet pitch after the final whistle.
But there was drama right to the end as the coaching staff, Diaz and all, took to the field to salute the players with seconds still remaining.
They had mistaken a shrill blast of the ref’s whistle for a foul as the final toot.
Tenerife survived one more scare, however, before that vital whistle came to signal the start of their victorious celebrations.
It is said that football is a universal language, bringing the world together. And, hopefully, it will help draw the Island’s inhabitants closer together and formulate a sense of fighting spirit to get through the current economic chapter.
There were further, official tributes on Monday evening when a VIP reception was held for CDT players and staff at the Tenerife Cabildo, Santa Cruz, as ministers acknowledged their momentous success.
Cabildo President Ricardo Melchior offered his own personal thanks to the “team, the extraordinary coaches, the backroom staff and all the employees after two tough seasons”.
He added: “All this would not have been possible without the encouragement, support and commitment of the fans.
“It was exciting to see more than 1,000 of them in Hospitalet, and even more so to see how the Heliodoro unites nearly 10,000 fans at all the home games. Now, they have to continue to consolidate the club in the Second Division.”
It has certainly been a roller-coaster ride for Tenerife in the past few seasons. Having won promotion to La Liga in the 2009-2010 season, they slipped straight back to the second division.
Then, the following season, CDT suffered many coaching changes as panic set in among the owners, and they finally dropped into the third division (Segunda B) for the first time in 24 years.
Happily, the sun is shining again on CD Tenerife, the Heliodoro stadium and the fans who will be filling it next season!

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Champions of Champions Final 1st leg

SUNDAY JUNE 9TH - Kick Off 6pm

Alaves vs CD Tenerife

Live on TV Canaria





This last match of the season is to determine the Champions of the whole 2nd B system (80 clubs). Both Tenerife and Alaves are promoted, that is done, but there is still another trophy up for grabs(as seen above - CDT have already won the trophy on the left). The return leg in Santa Cruz will be held a week later. It will be a good opportunity to cheer the players and manager after such a fantastic season. :party4:

PLAY-OFF FINAL 2ND LEG
SUNDAY JUNE 2ND
kick off 11am - Live on TV Canaria

HOSPITALET vs CD TENERIFE

With Tenerife 3-1 up from the first leg they will be clear favourites to win the tie on aggregate and therefore gain promotion to the second division. But football being what it is they will have to keep on their toes, remember away goals count double so a 2-0 home victory will suffice for the Catalan based club.

Around 1,000 Tenerife fans will be present in Barcelona next week.

Most bars (you would expect) will be showing but the real place to go for atmosphere will be Santa Cruz in and around the Plaza de España. Also think plans are to show game on a large screen at the Parque Maritima in Santa Cruz.

PLAY-OFF FINAL 1ST LEG

SUNDAY 26TH MAY - KICK OFF MIDDAY

CD TENERIFE vs CE L´HOSPITALET


So CD Tenerife have drawn the winners from Group 3 (Catalan and East Spain group) Hospitalet. Not a bad draw(best to avoid Alaves) but they were not group winners for nothing and have the leading scorer in Cirio who notched up 21 goals. First leg here next Sunday and the return the Sunday after June 2nd in Barcelona. The Catalans play on an artifical pitch which is not good but better than playing on a bumpy/mudbath like some we have recently on the mainland.

If anyone wants to make their way from UK that would be great. Tickets for the away match are just 10€ BEFOREHAND OR 15€ ON THE DOOR) and there should not be much trouble in getting hold of them, the stadium holds 8.000 but Hospitalet rarely get over 600/700 fans.
Plans are underway for the away excursion AND Tenerife could well have 1,000 supporters in 2 weeks time in Barcelona.
Also, as well as our final you could take the opportunity to watch FC Barcelona vs Malaga which is likely to be played on the Sat. June 1st evening.
WHAT A WEEKEND!!!