Latest news with #Elche
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
🏆 Who's going up to La Liga? Elche, Oviedo and Mirandés in the mix today
🏆 Who's going up to La Liga? Elche, Oviedo and Mirandés in the mix today Fans don't call it the Hypertension League for nothing... Today, the Hypermotion League, the second division of Spanish football, puts the last direct promotion spot up for grabs. Starting at 18:30, there will be a unified matchday in what promises to be an electrifying round. Advertisement Elche is the clear favorite in this battle, but Real Oviedo and Mirandés also have their chances if the Franjiverdes slip up. Let's review the options for the three clubs hoping to reach the top division today: What does Elche need? If they win at Riazor against Deportivo La Coruña, they are promoted. If they draw, Sarabia's side must hope that Mirandés doesn't win, because the head-to-head favors the team from Anduva. A three-way tie on points also favors Elche. If they lose, Oviedo and Mirandés must also lose. What do Real Oviedo and Mirandés need? The Carbayón side only has one scenario: beat Cádiz at the Tartiere and hope Elche loses at Riazor. Advertisement Mirandés needs to win at Cartagonova and for both Elche and Oviedo to either draw or lose. The last two playoff spots up for grabs Three teams in contention, but only two spots available. One of those two spots will come from the Racing de Santander-Granada match. Granada must win, but Racing only needs a draw to qualify, and could even make it through with a loss as long as Almería doesn't beat Tenerife. Almería's situation is clear: a win against relegated Tenerife puts them in the promotion playoffs. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 YOUSEF DOUBISI
Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Telegraph
The 10 best things to do in Alicante
After 60 years as a global visitor hub Alicante's to do list is virtually inexhaustible. It's possible to be bored here – but you'd have to try quite hard, what with the city's architectural heritage and cultural heft, its glorious urban beaches, its variegated neighbourhoods and the civilised pleasures of its bustling downtown zone. More intrepid souls might consider an excursion beyond the city limits, perhaps to the island of Tabarca or to nearby Elche, a magical town with a palm grove at its heart. For more inspiration, see our guides to the perfect weekend in Alicante, and the best hotels, restaurants and bars. Find things to do by type: Best for culture Les Fogueres de Sant Joan Big fun and loud noises at the bonfire party to end them all During Alicante's great fiesta Les Fogueres de Sant Joan ('bonfires of Saint John'), held at the end of June, grotesque painted figures are burned in the street while firework displays light up Postiguet beach and the mascletá, a symphony of supercharged bangers, briefly turns the city into a war zone. Those of a nervous disposition may prefer a quiet wander around the Museu de les Fogueres, for a behind-the-scenes look at these riotous celebrations. Check out the apparel worn by the Belleses del Foc – local 'fire beauties' in embroidered silk skirts and white lace frills. MUBAG Escape the crowds at a palatial art museum The grand old lady of Alicante's art galleries is handsomely housed in an 18th century palace near the Town Hall square. The permanent collection majors on alicantino painters of the Romantic era – a rich seam bursting with drama, colour and sentimentality. (You'll note a fondness for shipwrecks, child deaths, and penitent women.) Interesting to compare 19th-century views of Alicante, then a mere cluster of houses under the Benacantil crag, with the 21st-century reality. The museum tends to be bypassed by day-trippers and the cruise-ship crowd, making it an oasis of calm for the rest of us. MARQ Dig into local history at this high-tech museum Archaeology museums: they're a classic rainy-day option, but dusty cabinets crammed with trinkets rarely manage to lift the spirits. Alicante's award-winning MARQ therefore represents a radical departure. The fun starts with the building itself – a 19th-century hospital given a high-tech makeover in which atmospheric lighting, projections, and thrilling recreations of digs (underwater, in caves, and in urban settings), justify the MARQ's claim to be an archaeological museum for the 21st century. The in-house restaurant BARQ is good for a relaxed tapas-based lunch: try the croquetón of Cabrales cheese and the aubergine tempura with palm honey. Best for getting out on the water The Ocean Race Feel the power of sail – without leaving the harbour Historically a maritime capital, Alicante has been the seat of the Ocean Race since 2008. The harbourside museum devoted to this gruelling round-the-world sailing contest gives an up-close insight into the history of the Race, the technical challenges it presents and the tough realities of life as a competitor. Parked outside is the Brasil I, a high-tech IMOCA boat which took part in the 2005/2006 Race. Clamber aboard for a taste of the claustrophobic, cramped conditions endured by modern-day mariners. (Diary date for sail-freaks: the 14th Ocean Race is scheduled for winter 2026.) Tabarca Trip off to Alicante's isle of joy This island off the coast of Alicante, measuring just two kilometres long, is a corner of the Costas that has somehow escaped the ravages of development. Car-free and hassle-free, there's little to do here beyond visiting the 18th century church, exploring the tiny coves of Tabarca's unspoiled coastline, and lunching on caldero (the local speciality, a fish casserole with rice) at one of the simple restaurants near the jetty. This Mediterranean microcosm makes a great day out from Alicante – regular ferries make the 50-minute journey from the harbour – but the summer months are best avoided. Best for food and drink Pastelería Raúl Asensio Have your cake and eat it at a legendary pastelería Those of a sweet tooth should consider making the 30-minute car journey to Aspe, home of the Alicante region's finest pastry shop. A family business dating from 1758, Pastelería Raúl Asensio specialises in Mediterranean goodies like magdalenas (fairy cakes) and torta de manteca, a rich brioche made with pork fat. It's also known for its handmade panettone, recently placed third in a worldwide ranking, which comes in a range of flavours including chocolate and orange and fig and Fondillón wine. Snap up a tub of turrón ice cream for the return journey: this heavenly helado makes use of Alicante's signature almond sweetmeat. Mercado Central Stock up on Spanish ingredients at a historic food market As well as a cathedral of gastronomy the Mercado Central is an architectural masterpiece. Before you head into the market itself, built in modernist style between 1915 and 1922, take a moment to examine the soaring façade in stone and brick, flanked with palms and picked out with decorative tiles. Then plunge in among the 292 stalls, keeping an eye out for fine local products like hueva (cured mullet roe), caper berries and sun-dried tomatoes. Finally, visit the Barra Central market bar for a restorative glass of cava. Insider tip: Be sure to buy something: only tourists leave the Mercado empty-handed. Wine tastings Taste your way into Alicante's wine revolution Wines from the province of Alicante were given the royal seal of approval by Ferdinand of Aragón in 1510, making them essentially Spain's first protected Denominación de Origen. A new wave of wine bars and shops in the city centre offer a fast-track into the region's fast-developing vinous culture – three fine vinotecas being Osiris Wine Boutique, Urban Wine Shop and Bar, and Taberna Alioli. Be sure to try the most prestigious of all the region's wine types: Fondillón, a red from the Monastrell grape which is aged in barrels like sherry and can reach enormous age. Best for nature Elche Explore romantic palm groves The town of Elche, 23 minutes by high-speed AVE train from Alicante, boasts the world's most northerly date palm plantation, a UNESCO World Heritage site comprising some 70,000 trees. At the Museo del Palmeral, learn about the origins of Elche's palm groves in medieval Arab civilisation. From the museum a 2.5km circular walking route meanders among well-tended groves such as the romantic Huerto del Cura and the charming, oasis-like Huerto de San Plácido. Before heading back to Alicante, make tracks for Calle Porta de la Morera where traditional shops sell the honey-sweet local Medjoul dates. Via Verde de la Cantera Take a hike on Alicante's un-touristed urban byways A lesser-known aspect of Alicante are its urban walks and hikes. Via Verde de la Cantera, created in June 2024, is a 1.2km seaside stroll following the old Alicante-Dénia railway line (start at the northern end of Postiguet beach). Another recommendable walk, Torres de la Huerta, takes you between 20 stone watchtowers built to defend the city's rich agricultural zone from pirate attacks (Torre Sarrió, beside Lucentum Metro station, is a good point of departure.) This circular route is an easy 12 km on foot, though a cunning plan would be to do it by rental bike ( How we choose Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Paul Richardson fled the UK for Spain in 1989, alighting first in Ibiza, then remote Extremadura where he now lives off-grid on an organic farm. Read about it in his latest book Hidden Valley (Abacus).
Malay Mail
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
No more ‘kuaci'! Spanish club Elche bans messy snack from stadium
ELCHE, May 2 — Spanish side Elche have decided to break with tradition by banning the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds at their home ground as cleaning up the shells spit out by fans led to increased costs and unhygienic conditions. Elche play their home games at the 31,388-capacity Estadio Martinez Valero but the highly popular Spanish snack called 'pipas' will no longer be available for match-going supporters. Eating sunflower seeds requires a person to crack open the shells with their teeth and spit them out, leading to what Elche described as a 'structural problem' in recent years. 'The shells clog drains and pipes, they deteriorate the seats and affect the paint and finishes of multiple surfaces,' Elche said in a statement. 'They significantly increase cleaning and maintenance costs, they attract infestations of rats and pigeons, and, above all, they put the healthiness of the stands at risk. 'Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning teams, it is unfeasible to completely remove the waste after every match.' The club said the husks also contribute to the erosion of the concrete floor while the debris sometimes accumulates in hard-to-reach areas in the stadium. 'This decision is not intended to penalise any fan, but rather to preserve a common space in the best possible condition,' the club added. Valencia introduced similar measures in 2023 at the Mestalla Stadium where they banned the sale of sunflower seeds and asked fans to bring a bag for the disposal of shells. — Reuters
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Football club ban fans from eating SUNFLOWER SEEDS to protect stadium from ruin
A SPANISH football club have banned fans from eating their favourite food... after their stadium was overrun by RATS. Second-division leaders Elche could host 2 Elche have banned fans from eating sunflower seeds at their stadium Credit: Getty 2 Rats and pigeons eat the dropped shells which also block drains and pipes Credit: Alamy But their Martinez Valero ground has become infested with vermin as a result of fans munching SUNFLOWER SEEDS - and scattering shells on the ground. Club chiefs have now banned the popular Spanish snack from the 34,000-capacity arena. They announced: "Elche Football Club has decided to ban the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds throughout the entire Martinez Valero Stadium, starting from our next game against Levante. "This measure is in response to the need to protect the ground, ensure hygiene and reinforce our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL "The Martinez Valero is not just a football stadium, but a symbol shared by thousands of fans. "However, the vast consumption of sunflower seeds in recent years has created problems for the building. "The shells block drains and pipes, damage the seats and affect the paint finishes to multiple surfaces. "They significantly raise the costs of cleaning and maintenance. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "They attract plagues of rats and pigeons. And, above all, they put the cleanliness of the stands at risk. "Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning staff, we need to remove all the shells after every game. 'This is so impressive' - Fans amazed as Oli McBurnie speaks in flawless Spanish just months after joining LaLiga "The shells also damage the concrete underfoot and collect in hard-to-reach areas. "This decision is not meant to punish any fan, but instead to preserve a communal space in the best possible conditions. "Elche CF calls on your collective responsibility to maintain the Martinez Valero as an example of civility, respect, cleanliness and pride in the club. "We thank fans for their understanding, aware of the value of keeping a stadium fit to enjoy football in safety and comfort." Elche, based near Alicante in south-eastern Spain, ended a three-year spell in LaLiga in 2023. Former Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Barnsley defender Bambo Diaby, 27, plus ex-Watford man Mario Gaspar are part of their current squad.
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Football club ban fans from eating SUNFLOWER SEEDS to protect stadium from ruin
A SPANISH football club have banned fans from eating their favourite food... after their stadium was overrun by RATS. Second-division leaders Elche could host Real Madrid and Barcelona next season if they win promotion to LaLiga. 2 But their Martinez Valero ground has become infested with vermin as a result of fans munching SUNFLOWER SEEDS - and scattering shells on the ground. Club chiefs have now banned the popular Spanish snack from the 34,000-capacity arena. They announced: "Elche Football Club has decided to ban the sale and consumption of sunflower seeds throughout the entire Martinez Valero Stadium, starting from our next game against Levante. "This measure is in response to the need to protect the ground, ensure hygiene and reinforce our commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. "The Martinez Valero is not just a football stadium, but a symbol shared by thousands of fans. "However, the vast consumption of sunflower seeds in recent years has created problems for the building. "The shells block drains and pipes, damage the seats and affect the paint finishes to multiple surfaces. "They significantly raise the costs of cleaning and maintenance. "They attract plagues of rats and pigeons. And, above all, they put the cleanliness of the stands at risk. "Despite the constant efforts of the club's cleaning staff, we need to remove all the shells after every game. "The shells also damage the concrete underfoot and collect in hard-to-reach areas. "This decision is not meant to punish any fan, but instead to preserve a communal space in the best possible conditions. "Elche CF calls on your collective responsibility to maintain the Martinez Valero as an example of civility, respect, cleanliness and pride in the club. "We thank fans for their understanding, aware of the value of keeping a stadium fit to enjoy football in safety and comfort." Elche, based near Alicante in south-eastern Spain, ended a three-year spell in LaLiga in 2023. Former Sheffield Wednesday, Preston and Barnsley defender Bambo Diaby, 27, plus ex-Watford man Mario Gaspar are part of their current squad.
