Arenas de Armilla is just one step away from achieving the coveted promotion to Segunda RFEF, the fourth tier of Spanish football. After a season of hard work, consistency, and merit, the Granada-based team has overcome the previous playoff rounds, eliminating rivals such as Torre del Mar and CF Motril, and will now face Peña Deportiva from Ibiza in a two-legged final.
On the eve of the crucial match, the club's president, Fermín Criado, and coach, Jorge Molina, shared their insights with Granada Hoy. Both expressed their optimism and the excitement generated within the town and the province. "I am nervous. We have had a fantastic year, a great season, and obviously, we would love to cap it off with promotion," stated Criado, who also highlighted the strong support received.
Jorge Molina, on his part, noted the squad's enthusiasm: "I haven't seen nerves. What I perceive is excitement; it's a beautiful match, the stadium will be full again, and I sense the people are excited, not nervous." The coach emphasized the team's preparation, focusing on work with and without the ball, and their confidence in the players.
Both leaders highly valued the season, marking it as the club's best to date. Criado highlighted the club's professionalization and collective growth, while Molina described his first coaching experience as "very positive," emphasizing the enjoyment and the strong bond formed with the team and the board.
Regarding the final preparations, Molina acknowledged that the early kick-off time for the first leg, scheduled for Sunday at 12:00 PM in Andalucía, poses a challenge due to the high temperatures. "It's not logical to play in Andalucía, on June 14th, at 12:00 PM for health reasons," he lamented.
The club is organizing a special reception for the fans and is working to improve the stadium's conditions to combat the heat. Furthermore, plans are being made to potentially organize a charter flight for supporters wishing to travel to Ibiza for the return leg.
