Argentina had her strange double championship, as ever making it difficult to figure out the real strength of the clubs. Changes confused the matter further – the first division was to be reduced for the next season, so only one club from Primera B got promotion. But the promoted teams were two… the second one came from the second championship, differently organized from the standard divisional one . The second promotion seemingly was to be given to the best club not already a member of first division. The clear part belonged to the structure of Campeonato Metropolitano. Primera C – or 3rd Division – was won by Deportivo Espanol, hailing from Flores, Buenos Aires.
Standing, from left:Leandro Pérez, José L. Pérez, Bernárdez, Angeletti, Barral, Catalano.
First row: Estigarribia, Rivero, Balbuena, Luis Moreno, Arbelo.
Little can be said about the third-level winners – the most important news was they were going up to Primera B.
The 18-team Primera B belonged to this structure and there were no tricks: all teams played against each other twice, the standard European formula. The last was relegated – Flandria was 18th this year. Although many of the 2nd division members played among the best, most faded away long time ago and sounded exotic outside Argentina – clubs like Temperlay.
They finished right in the middle of the league – 9th. Banfield was perhaps the name readily considered as a favourite, but they were not – they finished 3rd, thanks to better goal-difference, but were not in the promotional race at all. Only two clubs competed for promotion – Deportivo Italiano and Tigre. Deportivo Italiano scored much more goals than Tigre, but finished with a point less.
To many outsiders Tigre sounded like new, suddenly rising club, but they were not new at all – the club was founded in 1902 under original name Juventud del Tigre, representing the city of Tigre. By the end of the 1970s the club’s name was what left of original geography – the city was Victoria for years, itself part of Greater Buenos Aires. Tigre’s stadium itself was perhaps bigger than it should have been, if one thinks the original setting: Victoria had about 40 000 population – the stadium had place for over 25 000. It makes sense only when one sees the club in terms of Buenos Aires – supporters were perhaps everywhere and visiting teams brought their own crowds. All in one city. Apart form that, Tigre had nothing to brag about: they played a few times in first division. Usually Tigre did not last long among the best – their most recent inglorious appearance was in 1968. Ten years later they were to try again.
Standing, from left: Eduardo Sánchez, Lemme, Pellegata, Giustozzi, Pistone, Ros.
Crouching: Aimetta, Roberto R. Carrizo, Pasini, Bello Meza, Ianuzzi.
Naturally, a second division team had no stars, but the boys fought bravely this year. They lost only 2 matches. Won 18, tied 14, scored 49 goals, but allowed the least goals in the league – 26. They did not lose a match at home – the only other club without a home loss was Villa Dalmine (5th). At the end, Tigre finished with 50 points – one more than Deprotivo Italiano. They clinched the championship and got the single promotion. Well done.