UD Ourense reaches promotion final at O Couto

UD Ourense moved within one tie of promotion on May 16 after beating Reus FC Reddis 2-1 at O Couto in the second leg of the Segunda Federación playoff semifinal. The Galician side advanced 2-1 on aggregate after the first leg in Reus ended 0-0, according to the Royal Spanish Football Federation and local reports. Borja Fernández's team will now play UB Conquense in the final round for a place in the 2026-27 Primera Federación. The result turned a tense, scoreless tie into a decisive home win. Rufo put UD Ourense ahead early, Fran Carbià leveled for Reus before halftime, and Justino Barbosa restored the lead in the second half. The Catalan side pushed for an equalizer that would have extended the tie, but UD Ourense held on at O Couto. (rfef.es) ### How did UD Ourense get through the semifinal? Rufo opened the scoring in the seventh or eighth minute, depending on match reports, after UD Ourense broke down the Reus defense from the left side. Reus stayed in the match and equalized in the 31st minute through Fran Carbià, who finished after a loose ball fell his way near the area. (rfef.es) Justino Barbosa scored the winning goal with about 20 minutes left, giving UD Ourense a 2-1 lead on the night and in the tie. The federation said O Couto "dictated the verdict" after the scoreless first leg, with the home side finishing the job in front of its supporters. (farodevigo.es) ### Why was the second leg so important at O Couto? O Couto hosted the return match after the first leg in Catalonia finished without a goal, leaving the semifinal level going into the decisive game. Faro de Vigo said the stadium "se vistió de gala" as fans turned out to back the home side in a match that decided which club would reach the final. (rfef.es) The Royal Spanish Football Federation identified UD Ourense as the third-place team from Group 1 and Reus FC Reddis as the fourth-place team from Group 3. That made the semifinal one of the cross-group pairings in the promotion playoff for the 2025-26 Segunda Federación season. (farodevigo.es) ### Who stood out in the tie? Rufo and Justino Barbosa supplied the goals that sent UD Ourense through. Fran Carbià scored Reus FC Reddis's only goal across the two matches, briefly putting the visitors level on the night before Barbosa's winner. Borja Fernández, UD Ourense's coach, led the team into the final, while Marc Carrasco's Reus side was eliminated. (rfef.es) Faro de Vigo and the Catalan federation both described Reus as competitive through the second leg, but the aggregate score stayed 2-1. ### What exactly is at stake in the final? (rfef.es) The 2026 Segunda Federación playoffs will decide promotion to the 2026-27 Primera Federación. The federation listed UD Ourense among the 10 semifinal winners who advanced to the final round draw held on Monday at 1300 local time. (farodevigo.es) La Voz de Galicia and regional outlets reported on May 18 that UD Ourense were drawn against UB Conquense in the final. Reports from Cuenca said the first leg will be played at O Couto and the return leg at La Fuensanta, with the final contested over two matches. (rfef.es) ### When is the promotion final? Marca reported in April that the Segunda Federación promotion finals were scheduled for May 24 and May 31. Match listings from FotMob and Global Sports Archive show UD Ourense hosting UB Conquense on May 24 in the first leg. UB Conquense, like UD Ourense, reached the final after coming through the semifinal round and was paired with the Galician club in the May 18 draw. (lavozdegalicia.es) The return leg in Cuenca is set to decide whether UD Ourense can complete its push into Primera Federación. (marca.com)