Relief in Maçanet: SHUM Frit Ravich Secures OK Liga Permanence

Maçanet de la Selva will continue to host the highest level of national roller hockey for another season. The local side, SHUM Frit Ravich, has officially sealed its stay in the top flight, ensuring that the village remains a fixture on the OK Liga map.

The path to survival was a tense mathematical puzzle that required a specific set of results to fall in their favor. To guarantee permanence, SHUM Frit Ravich needed to either secure a point during their visit to FC Barcelona or rely on the failure of two other rivals: Cerdanyola and Sant Just, in their respective matchups against Rivas and Lleida.

The first scenario proved too steep a climb. Jordi Garcia’s squad traveled to the Palau, where they were defeated 2-0 by the powerhouse Barcelona side. With that result, the fate of the club shifted entirely to the performances of their competitors.

The tension broke on Saturday evening when Cerdanyola failed to secure the necessary points. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place on Sunday, as Sant Just suffered a 4-2 loss against Lleida. Those results collectively locked in SHUM Frit Ravich’s place in the OK Liga for the coming campaign.

A Celebration at the Home of a Legend

To mark the occasion, the SHUM Frit Ravich squad gathered for a celebratory lunch at the home of Roger Presas. The choice of venue was poignant; Presas is not only one of the most prolific scorers in the category but also a veteran who recently announced he will retire from professional hockey at the conclude of the season.

The team spent the afternoon together, following the decisive match results that would eventually confirm their survival. For Presas, the timing offers a poetic conclusion to a distinguished career, ending on the high note of helping his club avoid relegation.

Albert Oller, the club’s sports director, praised the veteran’s contribution to the campaign. “It is the desired end of a career,” Oller stated. “We are very happy with Roger’s performance and commitment. This season he has put up great numbers and helped us a lot.”

The Struggle for Survival

The fight to avoid the drop has been a defining characteristic of SHUM Frit Ravich’s recent history. The club, based in Maçanet de la Selva, has frequently had to adapt to the grueling demands of the OK Liga, often playing on a terrazo court—a surface that differs significantly from the flooring used by many of the league’s top teams. This environmental factor often requires visiting teams to adjust quickly to compete effectively.

Throughout the season, the team’s objective remained clear: elude descent. This struggle has been a long and difficult battle, with several teams fighting for the few available spots in the top tier. While the club has faced setbacks, including losses to leaders like FC Barcelona, their ability to remain competitive in critical moments ultimately paid off.

Key Factors in the Survival Race

• The “Palau” Hurdle: A 2-0 loss to Barça meant SHUM could not control their own destiny in the final weekend.
• External Results: The failure of Cerdanyola and the 4-2 defeat of Sant Just against Lleida were the decisive factors.
• Veteran Leadership: The offensive output of Roger Presas provided the necessary cushion during a tight campaign.
• Community Impact: Securing permanence ensures that top-tier hockey remains accessible to the residents of Maçanet de la Selva.

For the fans in Maçanet, the relief is palpable. Maintaining a spot in the OK Liga is more than just a sporting achievement; it is a matter of community pride and economic viability for the club. The ability to attract top-tier opponents to their local rink continues to be a primary draw for the region.

As the squad looks toward the next season, they do so with the knowledge that the hardest battle—the fight for existence in the top flight—has been won. While they will say a fond farewell to Roger Presas, the foundation for the next campaign has been set.

The club will now enter the off-season to evaluate the roster and make the necessary tactical adjustments to move beyond the relegation zone and climb higher in the standings.

Next Checkpoint: SHUM Frit Ravich will announce their official roster and pre-season schedule for the upcoming OK Liga campaign in the coming months.

What are your thoughts on SHUM’s survival? Let us know in the comments below.