In La Liga, Barcelona stay eight points behind Real Madrid after losing 1-2 to third placed Villarreal. Racing Santander move up to fifth place after beating Betis 3-0 and Sevilla came from behind to beat Levante 2-1 and move up into the UEFA Cup places.
In Division 2, leaders Numancia keep their noses in front after a 1-0 victory over Racing Ferrol, a goal by Jordá enough to secure maximum points. The Blue and Whites are keeping up their challenge, travelling to Las Palmas and returning with three points after a 1-2 win. Hidalgo and Peragón found the net for Málaga C.F. with Márqez converting from the penalty spot for the home side. Real Sociedad are currently the third team in the promotion spots, doing their cause no harm with a 1-2 victory at Albacete. Mallorca were the biggest winners, scoring seven against Recreativo. There was a hat-trick for Arango with Guiza and Borja Valero both bagging a brace. Marco Rubén scored for Recreativo, the end result being 7-1.
In the Primera Andaluza Grupo 3, local lads C.D. Nerja were impressive 3-0 winners against second in the table Estepona and now move back up to eighth place in the league.
Australian Casey Stoner made a good start in his attempt to retain his MotoGP title by winning the season opener in Qatar. The Ducati rider started from fourth on the grid but took the lead on the eighth lap and was never really troubled after that, cruising home to victory. Pole-sitter Jorge Lorenzo, a 20 year old in his first MotGP season, and Dani Pedrosa, a relative veteran, finished second and third respectively.