UPDATE 2-Soccer-Mallorca send Zaragoza down to second division

Sun May 18, 2008 10:22pm BST
 
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By Mark Elkington

MADRID, May 18 (Reuters) - Real Zaragoza were relegated to the second division after losing 3-2 away to Real Mallorca on the final day of the Primera Liga season on Sunday.

Racing Santander secured their first UEFA Cup place with a 1-0 victory at home to Osasuna thanks to a late goal from Ivan Bolado.

The league's top scorer Daniel Guiza notched his 27th of the campaign to put the pressure on Zaragoza. Although Ricardo Oliveira levelled for Zaragoza in the second half it was Pierre Webo and Gonzalo Castro who sealed their fate.

Zaragoza, who had started the season tipped as top four contenders, finished 18th with 42 points, one short of Osasuna, and join Real Murcia and Levante in the second division.

"Life goes on and we have to pick ourselves up. The players are distraught but we are in the second division and we have to get used to the idea," Zaragoza coach Manolo Villanova said.

Champions Real Madrid hammered relegated Levante 5-2 at the Bernabeu with two apiece for Ruud van Nistelrooy and Sergio Ramos. Alexandre Geijo bagged both goals for the league's bottom club.

Racing finished sixth with 60 points taking the last UEFA Cup place along with fifth-placed Sevilla (64), who thumped Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at home. Mallorca were seventh with 59.  Continued...

 

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