There’s no shock or shame in CD Tenerife losing 4-2 away to champions in waiting, Numancia, but it is annoying to see them showing the same faults that have dogged them all season.

Canal Plus showed the game live so it was an 11am kick off but within 10 minutes Tenerife fans were choking on their eggy soldiers as they went one down thanks to a blunder by Raul Navas in goal. A long shot from Quero went straight through him, brushing his chest on the way, even the Numancia coach Arconada, winced at that one, but then he was Spains top keeper in the early 1980’s.

Tenerife were at their sloppy passing, half hearted tackling worst, and Numancia showed them up with some crisp passing football. Thankfully Tenerife fans have found one reliable constant all season, and that’s small but gutsy forward Nino. One again he was battling for every ball, despite being isolated most of the time. Just before the Numancia goal, he had found it a stretch too far to reach a Iriome cross and on the half hour mark he latched on to a free kick but couldn’t quite convert it.

Into the second half, and another familiar piece of plot, coach Oltra realised he should add some more punch in attack, and added Longas and Arruabarrena (pic) . Â Moreno made it 2-0 though with a blast into the visitors net but Tenerife hit back, Nino putting the ball into the box for Iriome to tap in. It could have got even better as Arruabarrena was floored for a penalty but Ayoze shot just to the left of the goalie, who saved it.

With 70 minutes gone, Nagore hooked another goal in at the post and Del Pino headed another a little after to make it 4-1. Tenerife staged a late rally, a Bertran break set up a missed half chance for Nino and Arruabarrena pulled one back in the final minutes to end it at 4-2.

Las Palmas drew 1-1 at home yesterday with Castellon to keep them cheaping at out heels, just 2 points behind. Another tough one next weekend at home to Sporting, who need the points for their promotion challenge, hopefully we might blood a few more young players in the last games of the season.Â

Don’t ask me too much about tennis, i’m no expert, but even I am excited at the thought of the Davis Cup semi final between Spain and the U.S.A being played in Playa de las Americas. It’s a long shot but Arona council have put in a bid to stage the event from September 19 to 21 at the Olympic stadium, between the golf course and the Green Clinic hospital.

The Spanish tennis federation are due to have a look at the Tenerife venue next week, the picture above is an old one, the left hand side seating is covered these days, and although it is a football stadium surrounded by an athletics track, plans have been drawn up to install a court and seating for 14,700 fans. It will have to be marked out but I believe it is fairly easy to sniff out some white lines in Las Americas.Â

Just imagine the likes of David Ferrer, Andy Roddick, and the best player in the world, Rafael Nadal gracing Tenerife with their skills. My mate Andy from football, has the Royal Oak bar just down the road, so he would have to stock up on Robinsons Barley Water to keep the players happy.

There are three other bids in to stage the Davis Cup, and they are from Madrid, Gijon and Benidorm, but maybe Tenerife has an ace up its sleeve. Emilio Sanchez Vicaro, the former doubles great, is now non playing Captain of the Spain team, and 2 weeks ago he played over here in the Abama Senior Cup for veteran players. Hopefully a few good words were whispered in his ear.

Fingers crossed for the bid, it would be quite a coup for Tenerife, and I can always cling to the hope that the BBC might send Sue Barker over to cover the event.

Sat at a beach bar with a cold drink, that’s the way to spend a hot Tenerife day, but for those seeking to push themselves to the limit, the triathlon was invented. Yesterday saw the first Costa Adeje triathlon and although the sun was red hot, the sea was very lively.

As the swimmers gathered on Chiringuito beach in La Caleta, the beach bar and sun loungers were full and to the east, kite surfers were colourful proof of the strong swirling wind. Small boats, jet skis and canoes took their positions out at sea just inside the inflatable marker bouys, as the triathletes filed through the shower arch and picked their way down the steep large stoned bank to the shore. Setting off in groups of around 50 at a time, the men, women and children, tried to time their entry into the sea between large rolling waves.

This 750 metre swim was just the start, and after clambering back out, the 200 competitors had to run up off the beach to the compound where the bikes were racked up. Peeling off the rubber wet suits, to reveal shorts and vests underneath, they had to negotiate their way into their trainers and scoot the bikes to the line before jumping on and peddling off for a 20 km ride.

By now the field was stretching out a little, sweeping up a hairpin hill turn, some were relaxed and smiling at the gathered crowds, some cut inside their rivals and some just focused straight ahead. A few laps later, they swept back into the compound, dismounted and started the last phase, the 5 km run. As they left the compound, children offered up cups of cold water, some gulped them down but many just tipped them over their sun drenched heads.

I was in the fortunate position to be able to admire the wonderful setting of La Caleta and the polished organisation of the race. Technology does help, with electronic tags on their ankles being read as they passed the start finish point. But all the technology in the world can’t compete with the sheer drive and determination these athletes have to show to keep themselves going. Back markers could be heard groaning, shouting and screaming out loud, mentally whipping themselves to find new reserves of energy.

A lack of pre event advertising , kept the watching crowds down to like minded enthusiasts, friends, family and local holiday makers. This is set to become an annual event so hopefully in future years the crowds will grow, these incredible athletes deserve to be appreciated, cajolled and cheered all the way to the finish line. As far as I am concerned all the entrants were winners but Mustapha Akoudad was first to finish after 1 hour 11 minutes and 35 seconds, with Patricia Diaz, twice Spañish under 23 triathlon champion, a close second on 1.22.23.

As the early finishers grabbed much needed cold drinks, handshakes and hugs, they spared time to encourage the other competitors who were simply trying to finish and beat their own demanding standards. Trophies weighed down the presentation table as glass awards were given in several categories. Many of the competitors will move on to more triathlons during the summer, and all of them will be nursing aching muscles today. Big respect to every last one of them, what a great addition to Tenerife’s summer sporting calender.Â

Â

Well it was nearly a perfect day, CD Tenerife took a late lead at Las Palmas only to see the Pio’s grab an equaliser seven minutes into injury time, when only 5 minutes had been signalled. So a 1-1 draw but to hear the Pio fans sounding off, you would have thought they had won the World cup. After our goal from Sicilia we were pelted with bottles, stones etc but most of it didn’t reach us. The near 2,000 Tenerife fans were of course well behaved – well sort of.

The day started with an early getaway from The Royal Oak, just a mini bus for the Armada Sur, but a few bottles later, we caught up with the main group at Santa Cruz ferry port. On a typically hot sunny day, we all partied and consumed lots of Dorada as our angelic voices rang out across the capital. There were the usual kick abouts with yellow Pio birds as the riot police looked on in menacing poses. The ferry was packed and bouncing once we got drinking and singing, and the hour crossing flew by. The coach convoy to the ground was relatively safe, just gestures from the locals as we passed-no bricks this year.

Herded into the ground, the huge banners were unfurled and free blue and white tshirts were dished out to make up the club flag, hope it worked on the television coverage. the game was the usual derby, drifting towards a goal less draw till Sicilia put us ahead, but we knew it was just too good to be true and had to settle for the draw.

The police held us back for about an hour as the stadium was cleared, some Pio fans tried to get at us but settled for good old fashioned verbal abuse. it was a slow convoy back to the ferry port with locals along the roadside waving us off, although some were only using 1 or 2 fingers. Cant believe so many have nothing better to do on a Saturday night than wait for the away coaches to pass by so they can shout at us.

The ferry trip was very liquid and fun,not too many big waves, but we realised that 2 of the Armada Sur had missed the boat and were on the next ferry so we were forced to have a beer in a very seedy Santa Cruz bar while we waited for them to dock. It was a long but very enjoyable day, maybe next year we will finally nail the pio’s.

Take a rabbits foot, add some lucky heather and a horseshoe, and it still wont account for the amazingly lucky escape that CD Tenerife had to spare their blushes. Losing 1-0 at home to bottom side Poli Ejido, it took 2 goals from free scoring forward, Nino, late in the game to keep the promotion dream alive with a 2-1 win, and restore Tenerife to 7th spot.

Coach Oltra had promised big changes after last weeks awful 4-0 away hammering at Eibar, but surprisingly the only big change was in goal where the outstanding Juan Pablo was replaced by Raul Navas. Tenerife had a poor first half and made Poli Ejido look good, and of course they grew in confidence as the game went on. Nino went close after 20 minutes but Ejido had plenty of chances too and looked the hungrier side.

Going into the second half all level, Tenerife continued to pump high balls up front with little chance of any result. The unthinkable happened after 60 minutes when Chico netted a rebound for the visitors and Oltra responded by bringing on Arruabarrena to give Nino some help up front.

The big forward made his prescence felt and had 2 good chances before setting up Nino after 80 minutes, Nino nipped in and made sure the ball went in the goal, and the great escape was on. Just 2 minutes later and the same combination worked again with Nino again poaching a goal to give Tenerife a lead they hardly deserved. Thankfully that killed off Poli Ejido and the game ended with a huge collective sigh of relief for Tenerife.

Next Saturday is the big derby game away to Las Palmas, and with the Pios winning 3-0 away this week, Tenerife will have to raise their game. A travelling army of 1,800 fans will make the short trip over, we just hope that the players “turn Up” even a repeat of last years 0-0 snore draw would be acceptable. And the good news is, the sea is looking very choppy at the moment , that ferry journey should be quite lively. Vamos Tenerife.

The last day of Santa Cruz Carnaval was a good time for CD Tenerife to break their run of 4 draws with a 2-0 home win over Granada 74. The Carnaval Queen was one of 12,000 fans in attendance and there was a good sprinkling of butch hairy “women” among the supporters.

The first half was pretty poor, not helped by a weak referee, who bought it every time a Granada player hit the deck after hardly any contact. Several of their players would have been better off in London at the BAFTA’S, chasing the best actor award.

N’Diaye had the first real chance of the game, firing wide for Tenerife after 28 minutes and Saizar did similar for the visitors a few minutes later. The ever improving Oscar Perez fired his shot into the roof of the Granada net after 39 minutes, after good work from Martinez and Nino, to delight the home fans.

The second half was better, Martinez and Ayoze both shot wide soon after the restart and Nino forced a good save from the Granada keeper. New signing Jesuli came on after 61 minutes and showed some promising moves including a goal chance late on that went wide. Crespi was the main threat for Granada but the Tenerife defence held firm. Nerves were stretched when the referee added 5 minutes of injury time but Tenerife responded well and an Oscar Perez cross was met by Nino for his 12th goal of the season and the decisive goal on the night.

The win leaves CDT in 9th place, and with the teams above, all looking very even, they are only a few points of the promotion pace.

Missed chances cost CD Tenerife the chance to move nearer the promotion pack, after a 1-1 home draw against Sevilla Athletic last night.

A woeful first half display saw them struggle to produce a decent shot and Sevilla grew in confidence and grabbed a lead in the 44th minute through Juanjo. It could have been worse as Juan Pablo had just made a good save from a Sevilla header.

Into the second half and Tenerife stepped up their game but a mix of poor finishing and bad luck frustrated them. Oscar Perez shot wide after 48 minutes and Nino had two bites 4 minutes later, one blocked on the line and the other put wide. After 55 minutes, CDT got a breakthrough with Jonathan fouling Nino, leaving Ayoze to score from the penalty.

It didn’t change the pattern of the game and Nino saw another effort go wide, Arruabarrena had his strike saved and Juanma hit the post to finish a frustrating evening with a 1-1 draw. Nino picked up a yellow card late in the game which will rule him out for next Saturdays away game at Cadiz, maybe that will encourage CDT to bring in another striker before the transfer window slams shut on Thursday.

Good news from Las Palmas, where the Pio’s recent good run was brought to a halt with a 2-1 loss to Numancia.

Unable to win away, home form has become vital for CD Tenerife, so a 2-0 defeat to high flying Numancia was a big blow to attempts to climb the table.

The first half was fairly even with meither side producing many telling moves. Santos fired over the bar after 6 minutes for CDT and Juan Pablo made a good stop from the visiting Jorda 1o minutes later. Referee Zamarano, still hated for an outrageous decision against Las Palmas 5 seasons ago, gave Numancia the verdict on nearly every whistle and their opening goal stemmed from a disputed corner that he awarded. There was a scramble in the Tenerife goalmouth and after a couple of half clearances, Jaio pounced on a loose ball and tucked it in the net.

Tenerife tried to raise their game for the 8,409 crowd and had their chances in a hot spell after 60 minutes. Nino and Arruabarrena both missed good openings and Santos skied the ball high with the goal at his mercy. Numancia seemed to sense they had weathered the CDT storm and Â

Bah humbug, it’s that time of year again, well it seems to have been for ages, even here in Tenerife, the street decorations went up in October, so much for mañana. Yes the shops here are brimming with awful decorations and the cheap Todo shops have those horrible singing Santa’s outside.

 One Spanish tradition that always makes me laugh like a drain is El Caganer, the shitter on the nativity scene. This is a Catalan tradition which has some genuine meaning to do with regeneration of the soil but is also good fun. It started with a shepherd on the scene around the stable, squatting down to make a deposit, but now there are loads of Celebrity Caganers you can buy including royalty and politicians.

Â

Thierry Henry, now plying his trade for Barcelona, is the latest addition and costs 14 euros from www.caganer.com all you have to do is log on, as they say.  Christmas hasn’t really arrived though for me until the 3 Kings start to appear on the Dorada beer bottle labels. Aah isn’t tradition wonderful.

We suffer a lot following CDT but a game like this makes it all worth while, good football, well taken goals and a deserved win, 3-1 over Xerez.

Tenerife came out firing and after 5 minutes Ricardo hammered a great shot into the visitors net to make it 1-0. It was one way traffic with Tenerife stroking the ball around and a second goal had to come. After 23 minutes, Iriome, showing the form that propelled him to golden prospect status last season, grabbed a second to delight the 10,651 fans.

Tenerife were hit by an early penalty for Xerez at the start of the second half, Bertran adjudged to be the offender. Yordi scored from the spot to reduce the home lead when Xerez had hardly threatened.

This is the part where Tenerife usually let it slip but in spite of the referee losing the plot, Tenerife kept their composure. Iriome went close with a good header, Santos had a decent penalty shout refused but Nino wrapped the game up. On the 70 minute mark Nino was bearing down on goal with 3 defenders to beat, some nifty footwork saw him through and he slotted the ball home.

A great and much needed result, lets hope we can put a run together now and climb the table.