In Spain, one of the New Year's Eve traditions includes eating twelve grapes before the stroke
of midnight, one grape for each of the last twelve seconds of the year. Photo courtesy of Camino
Z.
As 2010 arrives through the doorstep, La Liga returns with a vengeance from the winter break
that seemingly flew by so quickly.
The Roscón de Reyes is traditionally eaten on Epiphany, January 6. A round, candied sweet
bread, there is a hidden "Jesus doll" inside the bread, and the person who ends up with the doll is
crowned "King of the Day."
Only the players know whether Los Magos (The Magi) left them with treats or a lump of
coal in their shoes on Epiphany, but with this weekend's matches upcoming, they can begin the
process of maintaining their good form or making up for their naughty play from last year.
Osasuna 0 - 0 Real MadridThis was
Real Madrids chance to put a marker down for 2010 and take advantage of Barcelonas
'shock' draw against Villarreal. The press had placed much emphasis on Madrids chance to go top, as
if it could be a pivotal moment in the season. As it was, they found a stubborn
Osasuna
outfit who had as many chances to win the match as their illustrious visitors.
Sevilla 1 - 2 Racing Santander(0-1) 25' Canales, (0-2) 37' Canales, (1-2) 61' Romaric
Sevilla sunk to another deflating home defeat as they were ripped apart by a first-half
Sergio Canales masterclass. The teen sensation scored two stunning goals, leaving
clear signs that he is destined for stardom, as Miguel Angel Portugals
Racing team
stung Sevilla with some scintillating counter-attacking football.
World-renowned architect and Valencia native Santiago Calatrava designed the Ciutat de les Arts
i les Ciències, pictured above, one of the iconic landmarks in the city of Valencia.
With the gap widening between Barcelona and Real Madrid and the rest of the league, Valencia,
Deportivo La Coruña, and the other potential contenders need to keep winning and hope that the top
two slip on some wet spots along the way.
The Plaza Mayor in Valladolid presents one of the jewels of Spanish Baroque architecture.
As La Liga heads into the midway point of the season, these next few rounds are some of the
hardest of the campaign because the toil of playing for five consecutive months begins to wear on
the players and the coaching staff both physically and mentally.
Real Valladolid 0 - 3 Barcelona
(0-1) 20' Xavi, (0-2) 22' Dani Alves, (0-3) 54' Messi
Barcelona reached the halfway point of the season unbeaten with yet another sublime performance
which saw them reach 23 goals away from home. A breathtaking break saw Xavi put
them infront before a cross-come-shot from Alves put them further ahead two minutes later.
