The eighteenth round of the 2010 Torneo Apertura will be played in midweek, in order that the championship can finish as originally scheduled this weekend following the postponement of the twelfth round in the wake of Néstor Kirchner’s death. The downside for HEGS readers is that this will disrupt my coverage somewhat, since I’m going to be saying good bye to friends on Tuesday evening, and will be in the air somewhere over Brazil heading back to England whilst Wednesday’s three matches (as well as Independiente’s Copa Sudamericana final second leg) are played. Annoyingly, they could decide the title, since a win for Estudiantes away to River Plate combined with a loss or draw for Vélez at home to Huracán would see the Pincha crowned champions. All the same, the fixtures are right here, and normal service will have been resumed by Thursday night (jet lag permitting). And don’t worry – it’s only a Christmas holiday for me. I’ll be back in Buenos Aires in time for the start of the Clausura.
All kick off times are local. Add three hours for Greenwich Mean Time.
Primera División Torneo Apertura 2010, eighteenth round
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata vs All Boys (Tues, 19:10; refereed by P. Loustau)
Arsenal Fútbol Club vs Colón (Tues, 21:15; S. Pezzotta)
River Plate vs Estudiantes de La Plata (Weds, 17:00; D. Abal)
Vélez Sarsfield vs Huracán (Weds, 17:00; N. Pitana)
Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba vs Racing Club (Weds, 20:15; J.P. Pompei)
Newell’s Old Boys vs Club Olimpo (Thurs, 17:00; M. Vigliano)
Banfield vs Boca Juniors (Thurs, 19:10; C. Maglio)
Argentinos Juniors vs Lanús (Thurs, 20:15; G. Delfino)
Quilmes vs San Lorenzo de Almagro (Thurs, 21:15; S. Laverni)
Independiente vs Tigre will be played in early 2011, due to Independiente’s Copa Sudamericana final second leg on Wednesday night.
You can follow the daily ins and outs during the 2010 Apertura, as well Argentine clubs in the Copa Sudamericana, the country’s vast foreign legion and the latest news from the selección during the 2010-2011 season direct from Buenos Aires with HEGS on Twitter. If you’ve not signed up yet you can do so here. You can also join the official HEGS Facebook group, to keep up to date with the latest posts on the blog and discuss things with other fans. You’ll find it here. Also remember to bookmark Hand Of Pod, our home to a brand new Argentine football podcast (or subscribe to it on iTunes here)
Hasta El Gol Siempre 