Season review: Andorra
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Article summary
With evergreen Manolo Jiménez pulling the strings, FC Santa Coloma finished strongly to defend their Primera Division crown ahead of Andorran Cup victors UE Sant Julià.
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Second at the end of the regular season, FC Santa Coloma claimed back-to-back titles with a game to spare thanks to an excellent run of form in the play-offs. UE Sant Julià, meanwhile, were pushed all the way by UE Santa Coloma in the Andorran Cup final, retaining their crown in extra time despite being reduced to ten men.
Champions: FC Santa Coloma
FC Santa Coloma finished the regular season behind rivals Sant Julià but a run of 16 league games unbeaten sealed their sixth Andorran title with a match to spare. Beto Urbani headed in the goal that clinched it against UE Santa Coloma in the penultimate fixture, the Doves' 14th victory of the 20-game season enough to successfully defend their title as second-placed Sant Julià were held by FC Lusitans.
Cup final: UE Sant Julià 3-1 UE Santa Coloma
Sant Julià put league disappointment behind them to lift a third Copa Constitució with victory over FC Santa Coloma in Andorra la Vella. They took the lead through Sebastián Varela but Boris Codina's equaliser forced extra time and when Varela was then dismissed FC Santa Coloma had the initiative. Goals from Joaquim Salvat and Marcelo Igualcel sealed an unlikely triumph for Sant Julià.
European places
FC Santa Coloma – UEFA Champions League first qualifying round
UE Sant Julià – UEFA Europa League second qualifying round
FC Lusitans – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
UE Santa Coloma – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
Player of the year: Manolo Jiménez (FC Santa Coloma)
Jiménez was pivotal for the Andorran champions. The 34-year-old midfielder is equally adept in an attacking midfield role or as a left winger and has played over 75 times at international level for Andorra.
One to watch: Leonel Alves (UE Santa Coloma)
Just 17, Alves was a regular as UE Santa Coloma finished fourth in the Primera Division and reached the cup final. Alves was impressive throughout and is on the verge of breaking into the Andorran U21 side.
Surprise package: FC Lusitans
Lusitans, a team with Portuguese roots, came close to breaking the monopoly exercised by FC Santa Coloma and Sant Julià as they finished third in the table.
Number: 1
League defeats suffered by both FC Santa Coloma and Sant Julià during 2010/11. Champions FC Santa Coloma lost 2-1 to surprise package Lusitans; Sant Julià went down 1-0 at the title winners.
Leading scorer: Victor Bernat (UE Santa Coloma) 16
Relegated: FC Casa del Benfica, FC Encamp
Promoted: FC Rànger's, UE Engordany
Quote
"This wasn't an easy campaign. Our coach, Xavi Roura, left at the start of the season for personal reasons but thanks to the work put in by Salva Estruch and Juli Fernández we refocused and put together a winning run."
FC Santa Coloma's Óscar Sonejee on his team's title glory