WTF is going on in Spain?!
- David Pinto Maeso
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
This is the most competitive season the LNFA has seen in decades, marked by the first loss of Las Rozas Black Demons in 2 years, who has recently fell against the Osos de Rivas.
After 9 weeks and 35 games played, we are in the midst of the LNFA season. With only one regular season week left, it’s safe to say that, at least this year, the Spanish league has turned into one of the most entertaining competitions in Europe.
I'm aware that a statement of that caliber is no joke, but what’s happening is truly outstanding.
Two unbeaten teams lost recently. On one hand, the Terrassa Reds against the Badalona Dracs (35-21). The Reds are still atop the East and looking for the championship.
And on the other hand, and much more impressive, is the defeat of the three-time reigning champions, Las Rozas Black Demons, who fell 14–12 against the Osos de Rivas at home in an absolute nail-biter, doinking a game-winning field goal on the final play.
It’s even more impressive considering that the QB who led Osos to victory was Álvaro Cánovas, a former Murcia Cobras player who stepped in mid-season and is his first season ever playing 11v11. He had to do so after American QB Anthony Aronou left the team.
Still, their standout performer has been American ATH Michiah Quick, a former Oklahoma Sooner and European veteran, who has been key on both sides of the ball, including scoring the opening TD against the Demons.
The game itself was an intense defensive battle. The Demons scored both of their touchdowns through the air, with national QB Diego Lliteras connecting with WRs Jesús Pérez and Jorge García Valcárcel. However, the difference came from a dominant Osos defense, which allowed zero points in the second half.
A Missed Field Goal Ends a Historic Streak
In a dramatic finish, Osos de Rivas snapped one of the greatest winning streaks in LNFA history. The missed field goal ended Black Demons’ 18-game winning run in Serie A (including playoffs), now the third-longest streak ever.
Despite this, the Badalona Dracs continue to hold the top two streaks in LNFA history, with 31 consecutive wins between 2017 and 2021, and another run of 24 victories from 2002 to 2004.
Looking further back, the longest winning streak in Spanish American football predates the creation of the LNFA itself. The now-defunct Barcelona Boxers hold the all-time record, having amassed an extraordinary 34 consecutive wins in the pre-LNFA era.
The Season of Parity
This game perfectly represents the competitive chaos of this LNFA season. Osos, who had previously lost 21–6 to the Zaragoza Hurricanes, turned around and defeated the top team in the league.
The same pattern can be seen in the East.
Mallorca Voltors, for example, secured their first win of the season (27–13) against Valencia Firebats, a historic club that had started strong with a 3–1 record.
But their most impressive performance came earlier. In Week 6, while sitting at the bottom of the standings, Mallorca faced Badalona Dracs and managed a 20–20 draw, a result that felt anything but accidental.
In fact, it echoed last season’s shock, when Voltors defeated Dracs 24–22 at home. At this point, it’s becoming a pattern, not a coincidence.
And just like that, with their Week 9 win against the L’Hospitalet Pioners (34-24) in an exciting matchups, the Mallorca Voltors have avoided relegation, and will head into the offseason as they don’t have no game scheduled for Week 10.
This team embodies the parity of the LNFA this year. And it shows the tremendous growth the balear team has experienced during the season with key performers all year in the American connection of QB Malik Brown and WR Austin Brock, who made himself a strong case for best receiver in Spain.
Numbers Don’t Lie
The data backs it up.
Out of 35 games played, 26 have been decided by 15 points or fewer, meaning 74.3% of matchups have been close contests.
That’s roughly almost 3 out of every 4 games are often decided deep into the fourth quarter.
Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t. The LNFA is becoming a league where competitive balance is the norm, the gap between teams is shrinking, and nearly every game feels alive until the end.
An Open Race for the Championship
With the recent and deeply tragic passing of Madrid Bravos, every player from that roster now in the domestic league plays with an extra chip on their shoulder, motivation and emotional weight. Every team has something to prove, and the fight for the Spanish Bowl is wide open.
It's important to note that the playoffs in Spain are just the Semifinal and Final, composed by the two best teams from each conference.
After Week 9, the playoff picture is the following: #1 Las Rozas Black Demons and #2 Osos de Rivas in the West. And the Terrassa Reds and Badalona Dracs in the East, Who are still battling out the for the #1 seed.
At the same time, the relegation battle is just as intense, with up to three teams sitting on just 1 win. More importantly, next week the Camioneros de Coslada (1-5-1) and the Gijón Mariners (1-5-1) will face off in the last game of the season for them. It will be an absolute final for both if they want to stay in the premiere football division of the Mediterranean country.
With only Week 10 remaining, here are the current standings:
Eastern Conference (W-L-D)
Terrassa Reds (5–1)
Badalona Dracs (5–1–1)
Valencia Firebats (3–3)
Mallorca Voltors (2–1–5)
L’Hospitalet Pioners (1–6)
Western Conference (W-L-D)
Las Rozas Black Demons (6–1)
Osos de Rivas (5–2–1)
Zaragoza Hurricanes (3–3–1)
Camioneros de Coslada (1–5–1)
Gijón Mariners (1–5–1)
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