Tango says that 20 years is nothing, but it seems like an eternity. It is that on a day like today, but in 2001, Rafa Benítez's Tenerife managed to defeat Leganés (0-1) and promote to the First Division. Thus, the people from Tenerife accompanied the Sevillians from Real Betis and Sevilla and they left Atlético de Madrid with no options, who finished in fourth place on goal difference.
Since that June 17, Butarque has remained in the blue and white memory as one of the fields of fond memories for their hearts. For 72 minutes, the insulares tried in a thousand ways, but failed to beat Raúl Arribas's goal. The victory was only worth them because the colchoneros won in Getafe. Until Hugo Morales appeared, who that hot afternoon dressed as a hero.
The Argentine started from the bench, but fate had one of the greatest joys of his career in store for him. Huguito took possession of the ball to launch a frontal free kick, but something far away. That did not daunt him because he had the goal between eyebrow and eyebrow. His powerful shot surprised the local goal, unleashing the delirium of the visiting fans present there and of an entire island that returned to Primera two years after having abandoned it.
“I had confidence and faith,” recalled the Argentine midfielder in a later interview. “Curro Torres was next to me and I told him I was going to go back three steps, to touch it and I would hit him. The ball passed clean through the barrier. In addition, the teammates helped to distract the goalkeeper. The goal was not only mine and it came in when we needed it most, “he added.
Julio Iglesias; Curro Torres, Federico Lussenhoff, Pablo Paz, Federico Basavilbaso; Dani, Antonio Hidalgo, José Luis Martí, Luis García; Mista and Bruno Marioni He was the eleven chosen by Benítez for that occasion. Igor Simutenkov, Alex Castro and Hugo, the ‘hero without a cape’ of that hot Madrid afternoon, entered the second part.
They were also part of that squad Sergio Aragoneses, Bartual, Ibrahim, David Charcos, Alexis Suárez, Jacob, Gerardo Torrado, Germán, Fran Caínzos, Javi López, Juan Jesús, Ayoze, Barata and Pier. Some more, others less, all collaborated and to enjoy on that June 17, 2001, a day that will remain in the history of Tenerife and two decades have already passed. It seems like an eternity ago, although tango says that 20 years is nothing.