Northern lights fading fast

By Luis Arconada Lamsfus

Times are changing in the northern Spanish province of Asturias - and not for the better. The region's two flagship clubs, Real Oviedo and Sporting Gijón, have not just suffered the ignominy of relegation in recent seasons; they now risk sinking into the third division.

Historic clubs
Oviedo lie bottom of the Segunda División after Saturday's 2-1 defeat by SD Eibar, while Sporting, held to a goalless draw by Córdoba CF, are a place above them. Historically, these are two of Spain's more successful sides: the red and whites of Gijón are 12th in an all-time league table, the royal blues of Oviedo 13th. Yet points are scarce at present.

Financial crisis
European champions Real Madrid CF visit the latter club in the Spanish Cup second round on Wednesday night. In the mid-1990s, they would have made the trip with some trepidation - Madrid and FC Barcelona both fell to defeat in this prosperous cathedral city in 1994/95. But that was at Oviedo's old Carlos Tartiere stadium - and since moving to the Nuevo Carlos Tartiere in 2000 the Carbayones have struggled. Relegation ensued in 2001, followed by a financial crisis requiring local government intervention.

Seam of talent
Sporting's problems had started before then. Gijón is a port city, but its reputation as a purveyor of footballing talent better reflects Asturias's mining tradition. Over the past decade that seam has included Spanish international Luis Enrique, a member of the Rojiblancos side that qualified for the UEFA Cup along with Oviedo in 1991. Ex-Barcelona man Abelardo and former RC Deportivo La Coruña striker Manjarín are other famous old boys.

Yoghurt eaters
In 1993, they too achieved the 'double' of home wins over the big two with a team of homegrown players nicknamed 'los yogurines' after every Spanish toddler's favourite dessert. In the end, though, the policy of selling the bright young things and replacing them with high-profile, high-maintenance foreign signings backfired. Sporting were relegated in 1998.

Asturias's lowest ebb
Fair to say, then, that Asturian football is at its lowest ebb, while to the west the Galican teams, Deportivo and RC Celta de Vigo, go from strength to strength. Still, the region's 'cantera' (literally 'mine') continues to produce and Wednesday's cup tie sees striking prodigy Luis García return to his old club with the European champions.

Future imperfect
The youngster's future looks to be brighter than that of the team he left behind. But if Oviedo and neighbours Sporting are to survive and prosper, they will do well to hold on to the likes of García for as long as possible. Because given football's changing financial climate, money is not going to save them.