Fallen giants Real Oviedo are about to make
history as they battle for promotion from the Spanish Third Division.
Oviedo were relegated to the Third Division, which in Spain is split into 17
regional divisions, two years ago for economic reasons.
Last year saw them fail to win promotion to the Segunda B as they lost their
final play-off game, but this year the side, who have spent 38 of their 79-year
history in the Primera Liga, are about to put that right and set a new record in
the process.
Oviedo already hold all of the attendance records for the Third Division -
their first season in the category saw them attract 12,000 season-ticket holders
and over 20,000 fans saw their unsuccessful play-off match against Arteixo last
season.
However, last Sunday saw Oviedo take a giant leap towards winning that much
sought after promotion as they won the first leg of their play-off final 5-1
away to Avila.
That game saw Avila's Adolfo Suarez stadium filled to its 7,000 capacity for
the first time ever and now the Oviedo fans are preparing to celebrate.
A crowd of 30,000 are expected to fill the club's Carlos Tartiere stadium this
Saturday as they bid to confirm their promotion, breaking their own previous
record by around 10,000.