Mallorca are back in the Primera

RCD Mallorca have returned to the Primera, six years after being relegated in 2013. It hasn’t been easy; the team even spent 2017-18 in the Segunda B, but owner Robert Carver and his ownership group (which includes NBA legend Steve Nash) stayed the course and have been rewarded.

After losing 2-0 to Deportivo away, Malloca stormed back with a 3-0 win at home in front of of over 20,000 at their San Moix stadium. The winning goal was scored by Abdon Prats, who began his Mallorca career with a brief appearance in the Primera, and has represented them in three divisions in three years.

Villarreal fans know well that (in spite of us sending them players like Gerard Moreno and Leo Suarez on loan) most of Mallorca’s fanbase still blames us for taking their place in the 2010-11 Europa League (Mallorca were thrown out because of financial irregularities). It was especially difficult given that Mallorca were within a cat’s whisker of a Champions League place—a stoppage-time goal by Sevilla gave them fourth place instead of the islanders. Well, the fact that we then poached their best player, Borja Valero, didn’t help.

We can look ahead to some tasty battles next season. I just wish they would move out of the soulless bowl that is their current stadium and they could redevelop and move back to their old one.

So, Osasuna, Granada and Mallorca move up, and the Segunda season is finally over!