Círculo Gijón Baloncesto on Brink of Relegation After Shock Loss to Bottom-Placed Side

In a result that has left the club staring at a mathematical abyss, Círculo Gijón Baloncesto suffered a devastating 83-81 defeat against the league’s bottom-placed team, Castillo de Gorraiz Valle Egüe. The loss in Navarra has pushed the squad coached by Nacho Galán to the edge, making their relegation to Tercera FEB nearly inevitable.

The stakes could not have been higher for the Gijón side, who traveled to Navarra with a singular directive: win and maintain the momentum from their previous week’s victory. Instead, they fell to an opponent that had nothing left to play for, as Castillo de Gorraiz Valle Egües had already seen their own relegation confirmed prior to the matchup.

A Heartbreaking Finale in Navarra

The contest remained a deadlock until the final moments, with Círculo Gijón fighting to secure a result that would have provided a critical lifeline. The visitors managed to hold a slim lead heading into the closing seconds of the fourth quarter.

With only 18 seconds remaining on the clock, Círculo Gijón held a one-point advantage. However, the lead evaporated when Lacunza connected on a decisive three-pointer with just nine seconds left, swinging the lead back to the home side. A desperate final attack by Nacho Galán’s men was successfully defended by the Navarra squad, sealing the 83-81 result.

Despite the loss, point guard Fabio Santana emerged as one of the game’s standout performers. Santana, who previously had two separate stints with Alimerka Oviedo Baloncesto, provided a strong performance, though it was not enough to offset the late-game collapse.

The Mathematical Path to Relegation

For the global basketball observer, the Spanish league system can be complex. The Segunda FEB serves as the third division of the Spanish basketball pyramid. According to league regulations, six teams are relegated to the Tercera FEB at the end of the season.

Círculo Gijón now finds its fate in the hands of other teams. The club’s relegation to Tercera FEB will be officially certified on Sunday morning if Jaén Paraíso Interior secures a victory over UEMC Baloncesto Valladolid. Such a result would condemn the Gijón side to the lower division with two games still remaining in the regular season.

Should Jaén fail to win, a sliver of hope remains. In that scenario, Círculo Gijón would enter their final two fixtures against Cultural Leonesa and Ponferrada with a mathematical—albeit slim—chance of survival.

Context of a Struggling Campaign

This latest defeat is part of a recurring struggle against direct rivals in the fight for permanence. Earlier in the season, on December 14, 2025, Círculo Gijón suffered a similar heartbreak against this same opponent, losing 95-98. In that encounter, Gijón had actually led by 10 points with roughly five minutes remaining before a 0-12 run by Castillo de Gorraiz Valle Egües stole the game.

The inability to close out games against lower-ranked opponents has defined much of the current campaign, leaving the club in a position where only a “miracle” can now save them from the drop.

The club now awaits the results from the Sunday morning slate. Whether they are fighting for survival in their final two games or preparing for life in the Tercera FEB, the fallout from this loss in Navarra will be felt deeply by the fans and the organization in Gijón.

Next Checkpoint: The result of the Jaén Paraíso Interior vs. UEMC Baloncesto Valladolid match on Sunday morning will determine if Círculo Gijón’s relegation is official.

Do you think Círculo Gijón can pull off a miracle in the final two games, or is the damage already done? Let us know in the comments below.