Fear weighs heavily when it arrives. It moves quietly, almost behind the scenes, a force that is hard to control, demanding steady presence and integrity so it does not derail efforts. Much has been said about the moment, yet this time the claim rings true: Eldense stands up to the pressure. Saturday at 7:00 in the afternoon marks the season’s first finale, a game with nothing under it and the risk that tomorrow could slip away if the plan unravels. The objective is straightforward: win by the smallest margin against a Celta youth side that had shown resilience in Balaídos, while preventing any of the 19 other Spanish teams from escaping with a victory. All of it, naturally, in Eldense’s home arena.
1 GOAL
Leadership at the close of the editing period
► With no penalty shoot-outs to decide the playoff final, Eldense enters with a single-goal margin benefit.
The focus is clear: secure a home win for Deportivo to reach the promotion playoff to the second division. This is a clash of brave performers, players who dream of standing in the spotlight, athletes who devote themselves to their craft and face the raw reality of a make-or-break moment. The challenge facing Fernando Estevez is acknowledged—the difficulty of the task—yet the coach emphasizes composure. Saturday’s clash is unlike any he has guided since arriving in Elda. One must cultivate conviction in the locker room without overloading the team with undue pressure. The immediate priority is to deliver what is necessary, maintain a steady weekly routine, and avoid letting morning nerves spill into the afternoon kickoff.
10 euros
Cheapest ticket price for both sets of fans as of today
► Typically 20 euros, with 30 euros in the stands. Non-members can purchase online starting at 5 p.m.
4,036 spectators
They will be seated at Nuevo Pepico Amat, a venue opened in 2012.
► It features 740 seats in two tiers, 1,236 in the general area, and 1,320 in the stands. There are also 120 seats in the box.
3 DAYS
To consume the remaining thousand tickets
► Today, Wednesday, and the next two days, ticket sales are open in the afternoon, from 17:00 to 20:00 at the box office. Tickets can also be purchased online.
The aim is to fill the arena and create a supportive atmosphere that helps the team shed nerves quickly. This is why the Eldense coach has repeatedly underscored the essential role of the supporters and celebrated the steadfastness of the families who travel to the game. A small group of fans plans to travel to Vigo to bolster the players. The message is simple: support, but restraint. No one should be forced to eat or sleep or shout—support should be steady and purposeful. In a moment of reflection, the team’s spirit is captured in the line, “WE BELIEVE IN YOU AND WE WILL BELIEVE IN EACH OTHER.” The coach’s words were shared with the group, a reminder that the essence of sport lies in collective effort and shared pride.
Conviction
Sergio Ortuno stands as a cornerstone for the squad, fully aware of what is at stake, having grown up in a city that aspires to join the elite ranks of professional football. “We believe that with our people beside us, anything is possible in our stadium,” the Eldense midfielder wrote in a message that echoed through social media. The day’s challenge appears within reach, and the team remains focused on the mission ahead rather than on the pressure surrounding the moment.
Winning on the night would be meaningful for a club that has often fought against the odds. The stadium’s first appearance in a high-stakes context is a milestone, a continuation of a season defined by perseverance and late breakthroughs. The tie against the Celtic reserve team in the semifinals underscored how tightly contested the campaign has been, with each side answering every challenge along the way.
Eldense is undefeated at Pepico Amat
Pedro Rojas
Team dynamics fluctuated as the minutes moved forward, yet resilience prevailed in the second half. The goalkeeper delivered a standout performance, helping to straighten the defensive line. Guillé Vallejo, a key architect of Deportivo’s season, arrives at the finale with a quiet confidence rooted in the humility of a small club that dreams big and refuses to settle for anything less than bold progress.
Ticket sales continued on the day, with non-members able to buy at the box office for a window of three hours from 17:00 to 20:00. On match day, tickets remained available for purchase in person or online, space permitting. Nuevo Pepico Amat looked set for a full house as supporters lined up in anticipation. Approximately 3,000 seats had already been claimed, and the remaining thousand were expected to vanish quickly as the hour approached.