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Spanish Football

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Football

By Dee McMath & Barcley Spicer-Jenkins

Football is a favourite spectator sport in Andalucia amongst a huge number of British and Spanish like. The foreign influence has increased the popularity of football over the years and there are usually local matches, where you can support or even join the team. For foreigners living abroad, a football match can be a great way to meet like-minded local people in a relaxed, yet lively atmosphere. You might learn a few choice Spanish phrases that you should check out before you incorporate them into your everyday vocabulary!

Since so many British people have settled in Andalucia and especially along the Costa del Sol, over the last 20 years or so, there is now a large English speaking fraternity that follows the Liga and especially Malaga Football Club.

In the 2019 / 20 there are three Andalucian football teams in LaLiga Santander (Primera División): Sevilla, Betis and Granada.

In LaLiga SmartBank (Segunda División) for 2019 / 20 there are also three Andalucian football teams: Málaga, Cádiz and Almería.

We currently have pages on some of these Andalucian teams, from where you can read more information and buy tickets.

Sevilla FC		Real Betis Balompie
Founded in 1905, its name, Sevilla FC (Football Club, rather than CF - Club de Futbol) reflects its British origins. More>		Sevilla’s big rival – their derbies are major local events. More >
Malaga CF		Granada CF
This Malaga team. More >		This club dates from 1931, and has competed in La Liga since 1941. More >

how does the spanish league system work?

The top league in Spain is the Primera División, more commonly known as 'LaLiga Santander' and the league below this is the Segunda División or 'LaLiga SmartBank', before known as LaLiga 123. These two leagues can be considered the Spanish equivalent of the Premier League and Championship in England.

After this, the 'Segunda División B' is made up of 80 teams, divided into 4 groups which relate to geographical locations. Segunda División B Group 4 encompasses those Andalucian teams that make the league.

Following on from this, there is the Tercera División (third division), made up of 18 groups of 20 teams and finally, the regional divisions.

Primera División (20 teams)
Segunda División (22 teams)
Segunda División B (4 groups of 20 teams)
Tercera División (18 groups of 20 teams)
Regional Divisións

promotion & relegation

At the end of the season, the bottom three teams from Primera División are relegated to the Segunda División and automatically replaced by the the top two of this division, however the third team to be promoted must first win a play off. The play off is between the teams in third, fourth, fifth and sixth position in the Segunda División.

the teams (2019/2020 SEASON)

Those in bold represent Andalucian teams.