Real Murcia 1 Sabadell 0 (9 - 8 on pens)

Weeeeee are the CHAMPIONS!

And deservedly so. We dominated this game from start to finish - I can only remember one Sabadell shot, whilst we managed to miss several clear cut chances, both Isaac and Chando hitting the woodwork. The defence were immense - Luciano and Camara in particular. Dani Aquino scored a great goal - a long range free kick, it's a shame he hasn't been able to develop as hoped and is expected to leave the club. If he gets his head right, he'll be a very very good player...unfortunately it isn't going to be in Murcia where patience has run out.....pity...but good luck to him.

Real Murcia:
Alberto
Ander Gago - Luciano - Cámara - Óscar Sánchez
Mario Marín (Dani Aquino 60') - Carles - Urzáiz (Kike 46') - Molino (Isaac 46')
Cañadas - Chando

Sabadell:
De Navas
Chapi - Agustín - Toni Lao - Bermudo
Robles - Manga (Fito 60') - Puigdollers - Raúl
Joaquín (Marc 67') - Eneko (Isaac Cuenca 46')

Goal:
1-0 Aquino 71'

Referee: Mr. Ramos Rodríguez. Awful. Went out of his way to make sure everyone knew he wasn't going to favour the home side. He helped Sabadell throughout, failing to apply clear advantage on Real Murcia counter attacks. Fussy, card waving......gave Sabadell a ridiculous penalty for handball by Camara (only changed after his linesman insisted on a previous offside), and didn't give a stonewall pen when Kike was rugby tackled in the second half.

Penalties:
0-1 Fito
1-1 Kike
1-2 Robles
2-2 Carles
2-3 Isaac Cuenca
3-3 Cañadas
3-4 Marc Fernández
4-4 Luciano
4-5 Bermudo
5-5 Dani Aquino
5-6 Agustín
6-6 Isaac Jové
6-7 Toni Lao
7-7 Sanchez
7-8 Puigdollers
8-8 Alberto Cifuentes
8-8 Raúl Rodriguez missed
9-8 Chando

Att : 6,488 which is very disappointing - but somewhat indicative of how fickle fans are in Spain. Unless one of the "evil empire" of Madrid or Barcelona are involved, stadiums are never full. That is a sad and irrefutable fact. Those that did bother to turn up were great and in good voice, especially after the break and during extra time.

Sadly the team were not able to lift the champions trophy, the RFEF in their wisdom, will present the cup to our president at their next get together. So they made do with going to each end to salute the fans. Somewhat muted without the deserved pot to be paraded and held aloft.

After the match manger Iñaki Alonso said he hadn't signed his new deal, but he expected to do so - he did make a small but very subtle point - that Real Murcia owners the Samper brothers to like to take things at their own pace, and that he had respected this and been patient. His real point (I think) was that in the world of football slowness and insisting everyone adapts to your timetable, isn't a great idea - players and managers want their deals done, and delays can mean other clubs making tempting offers and leaves you open to being gazumped. He said that before the game he told the squad that this was the best group of people he had worked with or was ever likely to work with. He has meetings over the next couple of days (planning next seasons squad, who goes and who comes).....and said he was drained and looking forward to a break. I hope he enjoys it....he's earnt it!