Ball – Historico Vitória de Setubal is one of the eight clubs that have been relegated to the Portuguese championship (Liga 3)

With the scores (also) closed for the permanence stage, one historic downfall is clear: Vitória de Setubal has relegated to the Portuguese Championship.

Sadino’s team did not rely solely on themselves to get maintenance, and not even the victory over Oliveira Hospital, on Saturday night, was enough to guarantee their presence in the Liga 3 edition in the 2023/2024 season.

The relegation of Vitoria de Setubal was accompanied by seven other clubs: São Joao de Fer, Montalegre, Paredes, Vitoria de Guimarães B, Real, Fontainhas and Moncarapachense.

In Series 1 of this maintenance phase, the final round held a titanic fight between Varzim and São João de Ver, who were separated by two points. With Fafe well secured and Montalegre relegated, the poveiros only relied on themselves to close out permanence, but they had to win so they didn’t have to wait for the direct opponent’s result. Vitor Panera’s men did their part, defeating Favences (1-0). Thus, the victory over Montalegre (2-1) did not benefit the Malabero team.

Series 2 had a hot game on the agenda: Anadia – Paredes. Al-Birda started behind the northerners with three unfavorable points, but victory was the guarantee of permanence – in the first round there was a draw (1-1). And with a finish worthy of the best suspense films, Anadia arrived at the victory, aiming to make it 2-1 in the penultimate minute of stoppage time. Imagine the explosion of joy at Bairrada and disappointment at Paredes… Vitória de Guimarães B, who drew with Canellas (1-1) was already “doomed” to relegation, and Canellas had already confirmed his permanence.

Also in Série 3 there were strong emotions until the final whistle for both matches. Everything was decided between Hospital de Oliveira do, Vitoria de Setubal and Sporting B (in this standings order until this round), with Sadino’s team not being the only team to win. Or rather, it was enough, as long as that victory was by a difference of two goals or more – In the first round, Hospital de Oliveira do won at home against Vitória de Setubal, with a score of 2-0, but in the event of a replay, do Sado’s team will be tied in the confrontation Direct with Serranos, but with a better difference between goals scored and conceded over the course of the six rounds of this stage. Now, Vitória de Setubal managed to get it to 2-0, and at that moment, the score between Sporting B and Real didn’t matter. However, a goal from Oliveira do Hospital, in the 89th minute (!) brought Sadinos down and sealed Oliverence’s permanence.

Meanwhile, in Alcochete, Sporting B had to sweat to stay in Liga 3. The young Lions went into the break at a Real reception disadvantage, but a more efficient second half earned the green-white formation a transformation (what a great goal from Vatau! ) who ensured the maintenance.

Finally, Series 4, where everything is actually resolved. Whatever happens on this trip, Academica and Caldas already have tickets to the third division for next season, instead of Fontinhas and Moncarapachense, whose fate reserves them to compete in the Portuguese Championship in 2023/2024.