Best goalkeepers in league matches (minimum 25 games).

For some weeks now there has been no competition for the Zamora prize, and Cañizares picked up his fourth title to add to the league and UEFA cups in a festive atmosphere at the Mestalla stadium. The Valencia players were so relaxed though that they forgot about the game, losing 0-1 in the end to Almunia's Albacete. Elsewhere though the nerves were on edge, with three teams fighting for survival and others competing for the European spots. Espanyol's Lemmens recorded probably the most important clean sheet of his career as his side won the battle to stay up, and Bizzarri's similar efforts for Valladolid were to no avail. At the other end of the table Esteban kept out the Osasuna strikers to help his side in to the UEFA cup spots, and Munúa did likewise at Racing as Depor pipped Real Madrid for third place.

The Uruguayan keeper did give up his post for the last five minutes or so though to allow Jacques Songo'o to say farewell to the fans. Strangely Songo'o was one of four "porteros" to play their first league games of the season, Zaragoza giving B team number one Zaparaín a run out, Betis bringing on their B team keeper Relaño for the injured Contreras near the end and Real Madrid manager Carlos Queiroz drafting in César in place of Casillas (rather unsuccessfully as it happened). The change meant that Casillas was just one game short of equalling Buyo's second best club record of 76 games in a row, and left Villarreal's Reina as the only player not to have missed a minute all season.

Finally Miki, Westerveld and Lafuente were also given games for Mallorca, Real Sociedad and Athletic in place of Leo Franco, Alberto and Aranzubia. The Bilbao keeper was celebrating his call up as Spain's number three for the Euro 2004 championship, fellow Basque Iñaki Sáez preferring him in the end to Víctor Valdés and Reina. (24.05.04)