Atlético's Ecuadorian side Atlético FC win promotion to top flight

Jorge San Cristóbal reports that Atlético FC have been promoted to Ecuador's Primera División after beating Independiente del Valle's reserve side. It is the first major success for the club's new franchises.

Rubén Uría asks about one of Atlético de Madrid's satellite franchises, and Jorge San Cristóbal confirms the news: Atlético FC have been promoted to Ecuador's Primera División.

Promotion was sealed the night before, in the match against Independiente del Valle's reserve side, their closest pursuers. The team were playing in the second division, which has a regular phase followed by a mini-league in which the top two go up. That win mathematically secured their place.

Next season they will face opponents such as Barcelona de Ecuador, Emelec and Independiente del Valle. If they get things right, San Cristóbal believes they could even play in the Copa Sudamericana or the Copa Libertadores.

The journalist describes it as the first major success for the club's new franchises, leaving aside Ottawa, which has been around for longer. It also comes in only the project's second year of existence, under Carlos Santamarina, a coach who has been through the Academy and to whom San Cristóbal sends a hug and his congratulations.