Alaves return to Primera Liga after 13 years

Deportivo Alaves were promoted to the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga on Sunday after a 13-year absence which even saw the club drop into the third tier of Spanish football following their 2-0 win at home to Numancia.

The side from the Basque city of Vitoria, who are perhaps best known for their UEFA Cup final appearance against Liverpool in 2001, went into the penultimate game of the season in the Spanish second division (Liga Adelante) knowing a win would win them promotion.

In front of a packed house in the Mendizorroza, Manu Garcia opened the scoring after 23 minutes and Raul Garcia doubled the lead against a rival with little to play for, four minutes before halftime.

The second direct promotion place will be decided between Leganes, a club from the south of Madrid, and Gimnastic de Tarragona in the last round of matches. Leganes will go up if they are able to win away to Mirandes next week, while Gimnastic have to hope Leganes fail to win and win their home match against Alaves.

The side which fails to win direct promotion plus three other sides, which could include Girona, Zaragoza and Cordoba will them battle it out for the final promotion sport in the play-offs.