The Magec Tías Lanzarote Contra la Violencia de Género sealed its relegation on a day marked by tension, uncertainty, and a particularly painful outcome. Despite doing its part and achieving an important away victory against CB Isla Bonita, the results of third-party teams in the final moments ended up condemning the Lanzarote team to relegation after nine seasons in the category.
The team led by Jesús García faced a complicated trip to La Palma with the need to win and await favorable results on other courts. Neither the delay caused by the air traffic controllers' strike nor the turbulence during the journey stopped an expedition that landed on La Isla Bonita full of enthusiasm and commitment.
The match began with equality, although the local team managed to open a slight advantage in the first moments. However, Magec Tías Lanzarote reacted with character, adjusting its game and closing the first quarter with a tight 13-12 after a partial of 3-8 that returned confidence to the red-and-black team.
In the second quarter, the Lanzarote women took a step forward. After tying the score at 15, a three-pointer by Margarida Junqueira put the team ahead (17-18), starting a phase of control of the game. With composure and good offensive management, Magec Tías went to halftime with an advantage (24-31), while news began to arrive from other matches, where the momentary victories of Granada and Almeda maintained the uncertainty.
The third quarter again balanced the contest. CB Isla Bonita improved its accuracy and managed to tie the score with six minutes remaining. After a timeout requested by the visiting bench, the game continued in maximum equality until two three-pointers by Birgitt Snorradottir allowed the Lanzarote team to regain the initiative, closing the quarter with a favorable 46-52.
In the last period, the tension was maximum. The local team reduced differences (53-56), but a three-pointer by Carolina Mateo extended the lead and forced a new timeout for the team from La Palma. With solvency, Magec Tías Lanzarote came to have a lead of up to 10 points, managing the final stretch intelligently to seal the victory by 58-67.
However, fate still held an unexpected twist. During the transfer to the airport, the squad and coaching staff remained attentive to the results of the decisive matches. Granada's defeat seemed to bring permanence closer, but the Almeda match maintained the uncertainty. In the last play of regular time, Almeda tied the game and forced overtime. Already in the extra quarter, and with two seconds left, they managed to take the lead on the scoreboard with two free throws, a result that ended up condemning Magec Tías to relegation.
The final whistle on other courts confirmed one of the toughest sides of the sport. Despite the effort, dedication, and victory achieved in La Palma, Magec Tías Lanzarote Contra la Violencia de Género loses the category after nine years of trajectory in Liga Femenina 2. The images of sadness and helplessness of the players reflect the cruelty of an outcome decided in the last seconds. The team must now recompose itself and look to the future with the goal of returning as soon as possible to the category that today, in a particularly bitter way, it is forced to abandon.
Technical Sheet
CB Isla Bonita (58): Belén Armengol (19), Inmaculada Bautista (5), Elzé Motekaityté (3), Marina Colom (9), Marta Vulovic (7) -starting five- Tania González, María Rosales, Marta Carballo (11), Nuria Cunill (4)
Magec Tías Lanzarote Against Gender Violence (67): Yaiza García (10), Sira Hisado (11), Carolina Mateo (15), Margarida Junqueira (7) and Naroa Zabala (4) -starting five- Elena Lozano (6), Birgit Snorradottir (14), Esther Iranzo, Nereida Bermúdez and Alba Rodríguez
Quarter scores: 13-12, 24-31 (halftime) 46-52, 58-67 (final)
Referees: Alejandro Bethencourt Sánchez and Francisco Gregorio Ndong Obono. No disqualifications
Incidents: Pabellón Severo Rodríguez. Match corresponding to day 26 of the Liga Femenina 2.