Rugby Final Set: El Salvador vs. Cisneros

Rugby Final In a thrilling conclusion to the Spanish División de Honor season, INEXO El Salvador will face Complutense Cisneros in the grand final scheduled for the weekend of May 31–June 1 at the iconic Pepe Rojo stadium in Valladolid. This match marks a dramatic chapter in Spanish rugby, with both clubs defying expectations to book their places in the championship clash.

As Valladolid prepares to host three major rugby finals within just two weeks, the city reinforces its reputation as the capital of Spanish rugby. Alongside the men’s División de Honor final, fans will enjoy the Iberdrola Women’s Rugby Final League final on May 18 and the prestigious NTT DATA Copa del Rey final on May 24.

Cisneros Shocks Alcobendas in Tactical Battle

Complutense Cisneros, the seventh seed in the regular season, pulled off a stunning 12–7 victory over Silicius Alcobendas Rugby Final in a tightly contested semifinal at Las Terrazas. The match was a showcase of tactical discipline, defensive resilience, and smart kicking—key components that allowed Cisneros to control the pace of the game.

Fly-half Gonzalo Vinuesa opened the scoring with a penalty before receiving a yellow card that could have changed the momentum. Alcobendas capitalized on the numerical advantage with a quick-tap try by Javi López de Haro, briefly taking the lead. However, despite being a man down, Cisneros kept their composure and clawed back through a penalty conversion by Nico Ínfer just before halftime.

In the second half, Alcobendas struggled to break through Cisneros’ structured defense. Vinuesa returned to the pitch with renewed focus, nailing two more penalties to close the game at 12–7. The win earned Cisneros a ticket to the final for the first time in decades, and now they stand just one victory away from their first league title since 1985.

El Salvador Triumphs in Valladolid Derby

On the other side of the bracket, INEXO El Salvador prevailed in a fierce Valladolid derby, defeating defending champions VRAC Quesos Entrepinares 22–18 in a match filled with intensity, momentum swings, and tactical brilliance.

El Salvador took control early with two penalty kicks from Santiago Ortega and a try by Julio Sanz, giving them a comfortable lead inside the first 20 minutes. VRAC responded through Baltazar Taibo’s reliable boot, narrowing the gap to 13–6 before capitalizing on a temporary expulsion (yellow card) for Rodrigo Pelaz. With a numerical advantage, VRAC equalized with a try from Pablo Miejimolle just before halftime.

Still, El Salvador showed resilience and efficiency. Ortega added another penalty before the break, putting his team back ahead at 16–13. The second half saw both teams battling for territory and possession, but it was former VRAC player John Wessel Bell who delivered the breakthrough for El Salvador with a try that extended their lead.

VRAC mounted one last push and crossed the try line through Giorgi Turabelidze, closing the gap to a single point. But another penalty from Ortega proved decisive, forcing VRAC to seek a full try in the dying minutes—a task they ultimately failed to complete.

Valladolid: Spanish Rugby’s Beating Heart

The city of Valladolid is experiencing an unprecedented run of high-stakes rugby. Hosting three finals in consecutive weeks underscores its significance in the national rugby Final scene and its ability to bring fans together for elite competition.

• May 18: Iberdrola Women’s Rugby League Final – Colina Clinic El Salvador vs. Silicius Rugby Majadahonda.
• May 24: NTT DATA Copa del Rey Final – INEXO El Salvador vs. VRAC Quesos Entrepinares.
• May 31 or June 1: División de Honor Final – INEXO El Salvador vs. Complutense Cisneros.

These back-to-back events are not only a celebration of athletic excellence but also a testament to the growing popularity and professionalism of rugby Final across Spain. El Salvador enters the final with momentum, while Cisneros arrives with the confidence of an underdog that has already upset the odds.

A Historic Showdown Awaits

As the final approaches, both teams prepare to etch their names into Spanish rugby history. El Salvador is chasing another crown to add to its storied legacy, while Cisneros is on the verge of completing a fairytale run that began with a seventh-place finish in the regular season.

With tactical flair, physical battles, and passionate fan bases ready to erupt, the 2024 División de Honor final promises to be a spectacle of elite-level rugby—and one that could redefine the national landscape for years to come.