Nice read.

 

First tournaments

1901

The oldest Spanish tournament is the Copa Catalunya. In all Spain, the clubs just played friendly games, mainly local games in the cities where they belong. Originally, the Copa Catalunya was called Copa Macaya and they used the system of a league. All the clubs were located in Barcelona and the first winner, in the year 1901, was Hispània (a club that don't exist anymore).

1902

The 2nd edition was won by FC Barcelona, which is the first official title of the blaugranas. After this edition, there were some problems that divided the competition in 2: The Copa Barcelona won by FC Barcelona and the Copa Macaya, won by Español.


In April 1902, the King Alfonso XIII got the crown and, as a tribute, Madrid FC (called Real Madrid later) made a tournament called the Copa de la Coronacion (Cup of the Coronation). The trophy was donated by Madrid's City Hall. Later this trophy was called Copa del Rey (King's Cup). The tournament was played in May in Madrid and the clubs invited were FC Barcelona, Vizcaya (Bizkaia, a selection of players of Bilbao FC and Athletic Club) and Español. In the semifinals, Vizcaya beated Español. The other semifinal was the first "clásico" between Barcelona and Madrid in history. Barcelona won 1-3 in Madrid's home. The final was played in the Hipodromo of Madrid and Vizcaya won 2-1 with goals by Astorquia (10') and Cazeaux (20'), while Parsons scored the only goal of the Catalans (75'). The referee was a member of the board of Madrid CF, Carlos Padrós. Vizcaya wore white shirt and black pants, while Barça wore the blaugrana shirt, but white pants, as they used to do back then.

The 3rd and 4th place game was won by Madrid CF, beating 3-2 to Espanyol. The winner of the game got a trophy called Copa de la Gran Peña, reported as the first title in Madrid's history.

1903

The 2nd edition was called Campeonato de España. This time the final was played between Athletic (already merged Bilbao FC and Athletic Club) and Madrid CF. The final was played in the Hipodromo de Madrid again, in front of 5,000 people. The trophy was donated by the King Alfonso XIII. Once again, the Basques achieved the victory, beating the madridistas 2-3. Madrid CF reached the half time with 2-0, but the goals by Cazeaux, Montejo and De la Sota overcame the result and the Copa went to Bilbao again.

1904

The Copa Barcelona and the Copa Macaya merged again in Catalunya to create the Campeonato de Catalunya, and Español won their 2nd consecutive title. Espanyol won 15 games and just tied one, their victory was impressive.

The Campeonato de España was going to have their 3rd edition, but the result was a total failure. Athletic had to play the semis against the Catalan champions, Español, but the team of Barcelona didn't appear, so the Basques went through the final. The other finalist had to be decided among the teams of the city of Madrid (Moncloa, Español de Madrid, Madrid CF), but there were problems among them, so the other finalist couldn't be decided. So the tournament was given to Athletic again, but they won it without playing a single game.

1905

FC Barcelona had a great fight with Español in the Campeonato de Catalunya and the blaugranas got their second title in this competition. These games between Barcelona and Español created the rivalry that still exists in Barcelona. The polemics between the 2 big clubs of Barcelona were quite usual and it was normal to see fights between the fans of both teams and polemics about the referees. It's probably the oldest big rivalry in Spain.

That year, the Campeonato de España went back to normality. The tournament was organized by the Madrid FA. The final was played between Madrid FC and Athletic Club in El Retiro, Madrid. Athletic played the final reinforced by players of their "brother" club (Athletic Club Madrid, now Atlético Madrid). Despite all this, Madrid CF won the final and their first important title. Prast scored a goal in the minute 70' that meant the first title of an hegemony of Madrid in this tournament.

1906

This year, Madrid FC organized the tournament once again. It was a golder era for the madridistas and they beated Athletic for the 2nd time in a row. This time the result was very clear, 4-1 for Madrid with goals by A. Giralt, Revuelto, Parages and Alonso. Uribe just scored the 2-1 for the Basques. Madrid had also beated Recreativo Huelva in the semifinals.

In Catalunya, the early fever for football disappeared for a crisis in the city. Barcelona and Español suffered the effects of the crisis and both were about to disappear. The Campeonato de Catalunya was won by X Sporting, a club that don't exist anymore. X Sporting was formed by players of the great Español of that time who had left the club. The bottom moment of the crisis was a friendly game in Bilbao, where the former Catalan champions were crushed 10-1 by Athletic.

1907

Madrid FC kept organizing the Copa. The system changed and 5 clubs were invited by the madridistas and it was a league. After all the games, Athletic and Madrid tied in points and they played a final, again won by Madrid FC for 1-0 with goal by Prast.

With Catalunya and the big clubs in crisis, X Sporting won their 2nd consecutive title. Despite X Sporting wasn't Español, most of their players had been in that club. Barcelona and X Sporting were the best teams of the competition. The game between both teams was very tense and ended with the players of both teams punching each other, and even the police had to enter to stop the fight. In any case, the Catalan football remained in crisis.

1908

That year, also football suffered the consequences of the economic crisis in the country. Madrid FC organized the tournament again, but noone went to play it, but Vigo Sporting. This club of Vigo merged in 1923 with Fortuna, creating Celta Vigo. Madrid won the 4th Copa in a row thanks to the goals of Neyra and Revuelto. At that moment, noone expected that Madrid was going to suffer a big crisis in the following seasons.

X Sporting won the 3rd Catalan title in a row, which was the last too. Barcelona, who had had 250 socios, just had 65 back then.

1909

That year, it was created a new club: the Club Ciclista of San Sebastian (Basque Country). The club wasn't new, before it was called Recreation Club de San Sebastian, but they didn't have a football section until that year. Club Ciclista was the first name of Real Sociedad and the colors of the club were the ones that everyone knows. This could be an anecdote, but the fact is that Club Ciclista won the Copa that year against Español de Madrid (who disappered later). The donostiarras won the final 3-1 with goals by McGuiness, Simmons and Sena. That year, it was decided that the winner would be the organizer of the tournament.

At the same time, there was a turning point in Catalunya. FC Barcelona decided that the best way to go out of the crisis was to invest. The 39 remaining socios bought grounds in La Industria street and built L'Escopidora, the first football stadium of Spain and the capacity was for 9,000 people. The result was good and Barcelona won the Campeonato de Catalunya after 3 trophyless seasons. The blaugranas finally found the money to compete in the Copa del Rey, although they felt in the semifinals against Español de Madrid.

Barcelona's new stadium

1910

The Spanish football got divided. Some clubs joined the Federacion Española de Futbol, which was affiliated to FIFA since 1904, and the root of the current RFEF (Spanish FA) while some others were in the Union Española de Clubes. The result was that there were 2 different versions of the Campeonato de España (now both recognized by the RFEF).

The FEF version was won by FC Barcelona and meant the first Spanish title for the blaugranas. Barcelona won the final 3-2, beating Español de Madrid, with goals by Rodriguez, Comamala and C. Wallace, overcoming the 2 early goals of the madrileños, scored by Buylla. The Barça players were received by lots of fans in their return to Barcelona.

The UEC was the continuation of the old tournament and organized by Club Ciclista, who played the tournament using the name Vasconia. The final was played out of Madrid, in San Sebastián, and it was the first clash between the 2 big Basque clubs. Athletic won the final 1-0 with a goal by Iceta.

In the Basque country, a new tournament appeared: Copa Vizcaya, won by Athletic too. The rival of the final was the Sporting Club Irún (Gipuzkoa), one of the big rivals of Athletic back then.

Barcelona continued with the revolution. The blaugrana club started to have less foreigners in the lineup. Until then, Barcelona had been a club dominated by foreign people, although they had reached the hearts of many local fans. FC Barcelona won the Campeonato de Catalunya, crushing all the rivals, winning all the games. At the same time, the catalans also won the Copa de los Pirineos Orientales (Cup of the Eastern Pyrinees), played by teams of Catalunya, Euskadi and France.

Summary of the decade:

Copa del Rey
1902 - Vizcaya 2-1 FC Barcelona
1903 - Athletic Club 3-2 Madrid FC
1904 - Athletc Club (No final)
1905 - Madrid FC 1-0 Athletic Club
1906 - Real Madrid 4-1 Athletic Club
1907 - Real Madrid 0-1 Vizcaya (Athletic Club)
1908 - Real Madrid 2-1 Sporting Vigo
1909 - Club Ciclista 3-1 Español Madrid
1910 - FEF version - FC Barcelona 3-2 Español Madrid
1910 - UCE version - Athletic Club 1-0 Vasconia (Club Ciclista)

Campeonato de Catalunya (Copa Macaya, Copa Barcelona)
1901 - Hispània
1902 - FC Barcelona
1903 - FC Barcelona (Copa Barcelona), Español (Copa Macaya)
1904 - Español
1905 - FC Barcelona
1906 - X Sporting
1907 - X Sporting
1908 - X Sporting
1909 - FC Barcelona
1910 - FC Barcelona

Copa Vizcaya
1910 - Athletic Club

 

The consolidation of the Spanish football

1910-1911

Copa del Rey

The Copa was played in Bilbao, since Athletic had won the previous edition and it was another failure. Athletic's rival left the pitch before the end of the game in the semifinals. In the other semifinal, the rival of Español didn't even appear. The final was played in the Josaleta field of Bilbao, between Athletic and Español. The Basque club Athletic won the final 3-1 with goals by Veith, Garrinca and Belaúnde. Espanyol's goal was scored by Neyra, who had played in Español de Madrid before.

This edition was full of polemics. In the 1/4s, Barcelona had beaten Gimnástica de Madrid 4-0. The team of the capital appealed the game and the organizers (Athletic) decided that the game had to be repeated. Barcelona left the competition protesting for the decision and Espanyol had no rival in the semis.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Barcelona kept ruling the competition and won the title without losing a single point.

The regional tournaments started to be common in all the geography of the state. Sorry, but I couldn't find information about them.

1911-1912

Copa del Rey

This time, it was Barcelona who organized this tournament, since Athletic rejected to play it. Athletic was involved in the building works of their new stadium: San Mamés, which was going to have capacity for 6000 people. This is a picture of the blessing of the lands before the construction:

Also Madrid FC built a new stadium, also following the trend started by Barcelona the previous decade. The stadium was located in O'Donnell.

Also in Madrid FC, a young kid called Santiago Bernabeu made his debut with the team.

The Copa was won by Barcelona, beating 2-0 Gimnástica de Madrid. The goals by J. Rodriguez and Massana gave the 2nd Copa title to the Catalans, this time at home, in L'Escopidora. It was also the first year of one of the biggest scorers of the Spanish football, the player of Phillipines, Paulino Alcántara, big star of Barça in this decade. In this decade, the Barça fans were started to be called "culés". In L'Escopidera, when Barcelona played there, people could see the asses (culs, in Catalan) of the Barça fans from outside.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Español gave the surprise and won the title again, after 8 years of waiting. Barcelona had won the Copa and the Cup of the Pyrinees again, but this time, they couldn't beat their eternal rivals. The tournament was full of tension and the 2 clubs broke the relationships with each other for the first time in history.

At the same time, also in Barcelona, a new problem appeared: the professionalism. Some Barcelona players demanded a salary to play in the team. Until then, football had been an amateur sport in Spain and this fact meant a revolution. The solution in Barcelona was to fire the players who demanded a salary, Quirante and 6 more players, who founded a new club: Casual. These problems were an hearthquake in Barcelona, which despite the successful season, was near the break.

1912-1913

Copa del Rey

Again, the tournament was divided in 2 competitions. The one organized by the FEF and the one of the Union of clubs.

The Copa FEF was played in Madrid and the final was hosted in the new home of Madrid FC, in O'Donnell. It was also the first time that a final finished with a draw. Athletic and Racing Club Irún tied the first game, 2-2. The replay was played the next day and, this time, Racing Irún beated Athletic, 1-0 goal by San Bartolomé.

Irún is a town of Gipuzkoa, near San Sebastian, next to the border with France. At that time, the town (10000 people) was divided between the clubs of the town: Racing Club and Sporting Club. The rivalry had been huge, but the Copa title of Racing joined the fans of both clubs. As an anecdote, the King Alfonso XIII suggested that the 2 clubs should be merged, something that was well seen in Irún and it finally happened in 1915. The new club was called Real Unión de Irún: Real (Royal), since it was promoted by the King and he gave them his blessing with the royal title; Union, since it was the consequence of the union of the 2 clubs.

The tournament of the Union of clubs was won by Barcelona. The clubs had been joining FEF or the Union depending on their interests. Barcelona and Real Sociedad had to play 3 games to decide the champion. The 3 games were played in Barcelona, the previous winner of Copa. The first game finished 2-2, the 2nd finished 0-0. Finally, Barcelona beated Real Sociedad for 2-1 with goals by Berdié and Apolinario for the Catalans, who were enough to overcome the goal scored by Rezola for the Basques.

It was the end of the division. It's also the same time that the press called Madrid "merengues".

Campeonato de Catalunya

It was played in 2 editions. España (which disappeared later) won the first one, while Barcelona won the 2nd.

1913-1914

Copa del Rey

This edition was played in Irún, since Racing had been the previous winner. The home team couldn't retain the title, but it didn't go too far, since Athletic Club was the winner, beating the Catalan champions España (1-2). Zuazo was the hero of the final, scoring 2 goals in the minutes 20 and 29. Coletas scored the goal of the honor for España in the last minute of the game.

Athletic started to be the "King of Cups", since this was their 6th title, while Madrid had 3 and Barcelona had 2. Besides, it was just the begining of a great time for the Basques.

Campeonato de Catalunya

This tournament had a huge prestige in Catalunya back then. The rivalries were great and the Copa del Rey was just a tournament of few games. This tournament was the day by day for the Catalan clubs. This edition was won by España, Copa finalist, once again. España appeared as the 3rd club of the city and gave lots of problems to Barcelona and Español during that decade.

As an anecdote, it was the first time that Barcelona played against a professional English team, Notts County. For the Catalan press, it was an achievement to lose just 0-2 and 0-4 against them ("The English club was unable to score 5 goals!"). Still they played one more game and Barcelona started the game winning 3-0... but it was just a moment, the English players started to take the game seriously and they scored 10 goals after that. The Spanish football was still above the big (and already old) English clubs.

1914-1915

Copa del Rey

The game was played in Irún again. Athletic won their 7th Copa title. Athletic had brought the coach William Barnes from England and he imposed discipline and the methods of the English football. The result was evident, Athletic was the dominant club of Spain at that time. Athletic crushed the Catalan champions, Español, 5-0. Goals by: 3' Pichichi (PK), 43' Pichichi, 60' Pichichi, 69' Zubizarreta and 70' German. Pichichi started to create the legend that still exist nowadays.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Español had a good year and achieved the Catalan title, aside being the runner-up of Copa. Barcelona couldn't do anything against their big rivals, despite the goal records of the great Paulino Alcantara. In the last game of the season, a young goalkeeper who was 15 years old called Ricardo Zamora, made his debut with Universitario against Barcelona.

1915-1916

Copa del Rey

Athletic won the 8th Copa, the 3rd in a row, achieving the Cup in property (the 1st one was achieved by Madrid in the first decade). The final was played in the old ground of Barça: Muntaner.

The great Athletic of Pichichi crushed Madrid, 4-0. Zubizarreta scored 3 goals and Acedo the other one. Madrid had needed 4 games to beat Barcelona in the semifinals. The 3rd game already had a "weird" referee. It finished 6-6, with 3 penalties in favour of Madrid. The 4th game followed the same path and Barcelona abandoned the game. Madrid closed a bad period that year, winning Madrid's regional title and reaching the final of Copa.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Barcelona won the title without a problem, winning all the games of the tournament.

1916-1917

Copa del Rey

9 years later, the Copa title went to Madrid again. The 4th title of the merengues. Madrid FC needed a replay to beat another historical Basque club: Arenas Getxo. The first game finished 0-0. It was the first time that an extra time (just 20 minutes) was played in a final. In the 2nd game, the organizers decided that, after the extra time, the first team that scored a goal would be the champion. The 110 minutes ended 1-1. Madrid achieved the goal of the victory in the 113'. Suárez had advanced the Basques and Madrid overcame the result with goals by Petit and Alvarez.

The tournament was another cause of friction between Barcelona and Español. There was a new rule: only Spanish players could play the tournament. Barcelona played with Garchitorena, with Argentinian origin. Español had lost 3-0 against the blaugranas and appealed the game. The barcelonistas didn't agree with the decision of repeating the game and Barcelona retired.

Campeonato de Catalunya

España won their 3rd and last title.

1917-1918

Copa del Rey

This edition was played in Madrid for the first time in years. Madrid FC couldn't retain the title at home, in a full O'Donnell, and they lost against Real Union de Irún with 2 goals by Lagarreta (45' and 85'). It was the 2nd title of the irundarras.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Español won the title once again and follow their fight with Barcelona to be the main club of the city. At the end of the season, Barcelona got their first coach, the ex-player Jack Greenwell.

1918-1919

Copa del Rey

Arenas Getxo finally won the title 2 years after their first final. It was in Madrid, against the new Barcelona of Jack Greenwell. The game finished 2-2, but the Basques crushed the blaugranas in the extra time, scoring 3 goals to win 5-2. Sesúmaga was the hero for Arenas, scoring a hat-trick.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Barcelona won the title again, 3 years later. It was also the year of the debut of Josep Samitier, one of the best players of Spain of the next decade. Zamora signed for Barcelona from Español that year.

1919-1920

Copa del Rey

This was the first year of a period of domination of FC Barcelona in Spain. The Catalan club won the battle of the fans in Barcelona and the amount of socios was big. The club began to talk about building a new stadium, since the stadium of La Industria became obsolete after 10 years. The Copa final, played in El Molinón (Gijón, in the north of Spain) was a great game between Barnes' Athletic and Greenwich's Barcelona. The game finished with a huge polemic. With 0-0, the ref awarded Athletic with a penalty. Laca scored the penalty, but the referee disallowed it because an Athletic player entered in the box before it was kicked. The ref surprisingly awarded Barcelona with a foul. In the 55th minute, Martinez opened the result for Barcelona. With 5 minutes to go, the great player Paulino Alcantara scored the 2nd goal and gave the 3rd Copa for the Catalans. In the last minutes, the ref also disallowed a goal for Athletic scored by German. Zamora, Samitier and Alcantara formed a historical Barça.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Barcelona became the big club of Catalunya and won the title again. From this point, Barcelona had no rival in Catalunya, crushing the rivals again and again.

Summary of the decade:

Copa del Rey

1911 - Athletic Club 3-1 Español
1912 - Barcelona 2-0 Gimnástica Madrid
1913 - FEF version - Racing Club Irún 1-0 Athletic Club
1913 - UEC version - FC Barcelona 2-1 Real Sociedad
1914 - Athletic Club 2-1 España
1915 - Athletic Club 5-0 Español
1916 - Athletic Club 4-0 Madrid FC
1917 - Madrid FC 2-1 Arenas Getxo
1918 - Real Union Irún 2-0 Madrid FC
1919 - Arenas Getxo 5-2 FC Barcelona
1920 - FC Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Club

8 - Athletic Club
5 - Madrid FC
4 - FC Barcelona
2 - Real Union Irun (Racing Club)
1 - Club Ciclista (Real Sociedad)
1 - Arenas Getxo



Campeonato de Catalunya

1911 - FC Barcelona
1912 - Español
1913 - España / FC Barcelona
1914 - España
1915 - Español
1916 - FC Barcelona
1917 - Español
1918 - Español
1919 - FC Barcelona
1920 - FC Barcelona

10 - FC Barcelona
6 - RCD Español
3 - X Sporting
3 - España
1 - Hispania

 

The golden era of the Basque football, the first big Barça and the begining of La Liga

1920-1921

Copa del Rey

Athletic recovered the Copa again. It was an interesting final, since two clubs which were linked met for the first time in a final: Athletic vs Atlético Madrid. Atlético (originally Athletic Club Madrid) was created by Athletic fans in 1903, but they got the "independence" in 1907. The final was won 4-1 by the "old brothers" of Bilbao. Laca opened the scoreboard in the minute 29; Triana tied the game in the 38'; Acedo gave the advantage to the Basques in the 41' in a penalty; Acedo (68') and Laca (78') again closed the result. William Barnes led Athletic to the title again, it was the 9th Copa for them. This time, it was at home in front of 15,000 people, a record of that time in Spain.

That year, Madrid FC got the "Real" (Royal) title and since then they were called Real Madrid.

Campeonato de Catalunya

Barcelona, which was considered the best team of Spain in that moment, won the title again without many problems. They couldn't compete in the Copa, because of a sudden change in the host city from Sevilla to Bilbao.

1921-1922

Copa del Rey

The great Barcelona of Greenwell won the 5th Copa for the Catalans. The spine of the team still was formed by Zamora, Samitier and Alcantara. The blaugranas crushed Real Union Irun, beating the Basques 5-1 with goals by Alcantara (2), Torralba, Samitier and Gràcia.

Barcelona also won the Campeonato de Catalunya and the team didn't lose a single game in the whole season. Barça also finished their new stadium: Les Corts. The 2nd modern stadium after San Mamés.

The stadium originally had capacity for 30,000 people, although it was increased to 60,000 people with time.

1922-1923

Copa del Rey

Athletic won the 10th and, without a doubt, they were considered the biggest club of Spain at that time. The new victim was the historical club of Barcelona Europa, who had won the Campeonato de Catalunya that year. The goal of Travieso was enough to win 1-0. Frederick Petland was the new coach of Athletic. The final was played in the impressive stadium of Les Corts.

It was a year of new stadiums again. Real Madrid built their first big stadium: Chamartín.

Also Atlético built the Metropolitano, near Cuatro Caminos.

1923-1924

Copa del Rey

Real Union won the 3rd Copa for the club in Atotxa in San Sebastián. Echevarria scored the goal that knocked Real Madrid down, giving the title to the Basques. Real Union was the deserved champion and they had crushed Barcelona (Catalan champions again) in the semis, beating the Catalans 6-1.

1924-1925

Copa del Rey

After the crisis of Barcelona, due to the departure of Zamora, due to problems with his salary, the Catalans won the Copa title again. It was the 6th title for Barça, who were going to become Athletic's biggest rival in the 2nd part of the 20s. The signing of Platko (who was recalled by the poet Alberti later) closed the hole left by Zamora. The victims of the Catalans were Arenas Getxo. Barcelona won with goals by Samitier (8') and Sancho (34'). Jesza Poszony was Barcelona's coach in that moment. The Catalans achieved the double winning in Catalunya too.

The year wasn't calm for the Catalans though. Spain lived the military dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. In a friendly game, the Barça fans booed the Spanish Royal March (national anthem) and the reaction of the military regime against the Catalans was harsh: Les Corts were closed for 6 months and the president Gamper had to leave Spain.

Besides, a derby between Español and Barcelona also finished with violent incidents.

1925-1926[/i]

Copa del Rey

Although the ban was bad for Barcelona's poweful economy, the Catalans retained the title in their hands, this time winning 3-2 against Atlético Madrid in Mestalla, Valencia. Palacios scored the first for the colchoneros and Palacios put the 0-2 with a penalty in the 56'. But Barcelona's reaction was great: Samitier reduced the gap in the 68' and Just tied the game in the 75'. Finally, Paulino Alcantara scored the goal of the victory in the 115'. The English coach Ralph Kirby was Barça's coach, while Atlético had signed Athletic's coach, Pentland. In the way to the final, Barcelona had destroyed (1-5 and 3-0) Real Madrid. It was also the first big international signing of a Spanish club, Barcelona signed the Uruguayan star: Hector Scarone, but the player didn't adapt to the team and left after 9 games.

1926-1927

Copa del Rey

The Copa went back to the Basque country again. Real Union became the main rival club in Euskadi for Athletic. The irundarras won the 4th Copa for them beating another Basque club, Arenas, who had beaten Barcelona in the semis. The goal of Echeveste gave the last title of their history to Real Union. The game was played in Zaragoza and the referee was the historical official Pedro Escartín.

At that time, Madrid started to make the first international tours in America.

1927-1928

Copa del Rey

It seems that Barcelona and Real Sociedad couldn't have a normal final. It was the 2nd final between both clubs and, once again, they needed 3 games to decide the winner. After the 2 replays, FC Barcelona won the final again. Barcelona was decided in just half an hour (7' Samitier, 23' Arocha, 27' Sastre for Barcelona; 16' (PK) Zaldúa for Real Sociedad.

Football already was an important sport in Spain and it started to affect to many aspects of life. Due to this epic final, the poet Rafael Alberti wrote the famous "Oda por Plattko", a tribute for the fantastic performance of Barça's goalie, which finished with a counter-oda wrote by the txuriurdin poet Gabriel Celaya, who said that Alberti shouldn't thank Platko, but the referee for the victory of his team.

Alberti:

1928-1929

La Liga

Finally, due to the increasing interest on football, the FEF created "La Liga", which was going to become one of the biggest league competitions of the world. The first game was played between Real Madrid and Europa and won by the madridistas 5-0, who became the first leaders of the competitions.

The Primera Division was formed by 10 clubs, all the Copa champions plus Europa and Racing Santander. The first champion was FC Barcelona, whose important players were Samitier, Plattko, Sastre and Parera I.

Barcelona's title was based on a great 2nd half of the season. Barcelona had lost the Campeonato de Catalunya, won by Español and the hopes were low. The bluagranas finished the first 9 games 6 points far from the leaders, Real Madrid. But the reaction was extraordinary and Barça won everything to achieve the first Liga title, getting that position in the last game. Barça had not been in the top position in the whole year.

Catalan derby in Liga

Standings - Primera

1. FC Barcelona - 25
2. Real Madrid - 23
3. Athletic Club - 20
4. Real Sociedad - 20
5. Arenas Getxo - 19
6. Atlético Madrid - 18
7. RCD Español - 18
8. Europa - 16
9. Real Union - 12
10. Racing Santander - 9 (R)

Top Scorer: Bienzobas (Real Sociedad) - 14 goals in 18 games.
Best goalie: Zamora (Español) - 24 goals in 15 games (1,6 goal/game)

Standings - Segunda

1. Sevilla - 22 (P)
2. Iberia Zaragoza - 22
3. Alaves - 21
4. Sporting Gijon - 19
5. Valencia - 19
6. Betis - 18
7. Oviedo - 17
8. Deportivo - 16
9. Celta - 13
10. Racing Madrid - 13 (R)

Promotion game: Sevilla 2-1 Racing / Racing 2-0 Sevilla. Racing stayed in Primera.

Copa del Rey

The Copa del Rey also went to Catalunya, but this time to Español, who finally won the first official title out of Catalunya and won the double that season, achieving the Catalan title too. The final between Español and Real Madrid was played in Mestalla and it was a game marked by the red cards.

Español got an early penalty in the 3rd minute, but Madrid's goalie, Cabo, stopped the penalty kicked by Solé. In the 55', Tena I scored the first goal of the españolistas. Just few minutes later, 3 players were sent off after a fight (2 Espanyol players, Tena I and Broto; and Rubio from Madrid). Bosch scored the 2nd for the Catalans in the 70'. When the game seemed over, Lazcano reduced the gap scoring for Madrid in the 75'. In the 80', another fight finished with 2 players sent off (Gonzalo, from Español; and Triana, from Real Madrid). It was called "the final of the water". Español's coach was Jack Greenwell, the one who had led Barcelona to the highest moments of the eternal rival until then.

1929-1930

La Liga
Athletic, after 7 years of failures, made a great team again. The bizcainos signed Gorostiza and Iraragorri, who formed a terrific forward line along with Lafuente, Chirri and Unamuno. All that great team driven by the prestigious English coach Frederick Pentland.

There was no color in La Liga, but Athletic's red and white. The bilbainos crushed every single rival they found in La Liga. They didn't lose a single game in that season. Gorostiza was the top scorer for Athletic.

Barcelona was the only one who followed Athletic, but from the distance. The blaugranas also lost against Athletic in Copa.


Standings - Primera Division

1. Athletic Club - 30
2. FC Barcelona - 23
3. Arenas Getxo - 20
4. Español - 20
5. Real Madrid - 17
6. Real Union - 17
7. Real Sociedad - 14
8. Racing Santander - 14
9. Europa - 13
10. Atlético Madrid - 12 (R)

Top Scorer: Gorostiza (Athletic) - 19 goals in 18 games
Best Goalie: Blanco (Athletic) - 20 goals in 15 games (1,33 goals/game)

Standings Segunda Division
1. Alaves - 22 (P)
2. Sporting Gijon - 21
3. Iberia Zaragoza - 21
4. Sevilla - 20
5. Oviedo - 19
6. Valencia - 18
7. Deportivo - 17
8. Real Murcia - 15
9. Betis - 14
10. Cultural Leonesa - 14 (R)

Alavés promoted to Primera, 9 years after their foundation.

Copa del Rey

Athletic made the first Double in Spain's history. The Basques reached the final, beating their big rivals Barcelona. The final was an incredible event, played in Montjuïc (Barcelona) in front of 65,000 people. Athletic won 3-2 against Real Madrid. Lafuente gave the first goal to Athletic after 30 seconds. The madridistas responded in the 15' with a goal by Lazcano. Iraragorri gave the lead to Athletic in the 45'. Madrid didn't give up and Triana scored the 2-2 in the 65'. The game reached the extra time and Lafuente gave the goal of the victory to the Basques in the 115'. Chirri II (Athletic) and Prats (Madrid) were sent off in the 117'.

Summary of the decade

Liga
1929 - FC Barcelona
1930 - Athletic Club

1 - FC Barcelona
1 - Athletic Club

Copa del Rey
1921 - Athletic Club
1922 - FC Barcelona
1923 - Athletic Club
1924 - Real Union Irun
1925 - FC Barcelona
1926 - FC Barcelona
1927 - Real Union Irun
1928 - FC Barcelona
1929 - RCD Español
1930 - Athletic Club

11 - Athletic Club
8 - FC Barcelona
5 - Madrid FC
4 - Real Union Irun (Racing Club)
1 - Club Ciclista (Real Sociedad)
1 - Arenas Getxo
1 - RCD Español

 

II Republica and Civil War: Athletic's "Golden Era", Madrid "got born" again and the death of Gamper

1930-1931

La Liga

Athletic started the new decade as they finished the last: winning La Liga. This time, it wasn't so easy for the bilbainos, who had to suffer until the last day to win their 2nd Liga title. At the end of the 18 games, Athletic, Racing Santander and Real Sociedad tied on top of the standings, but the rojiblancos got the title thanks to the goal average. Athletic also achieved the biggest beating in La Liga's history, beating their main rival, FC Barcelona, 12-1 in San Mamés. Bata was also the top scorer of La Liga, being the successor of his teammate Gorostiza, who also kept a great goal record. The season was also marked by the arrival of Ricardo Zamora to Real Madrid. Real Madrid's season was poor, but they built the spine of the successful Madrid of the 30's. Aside Zamora, also Quincoces, Ciriaco, Olivares, Luis Reguiero and Hilario joined the merengues.

Barcelona lost their founder and main figure until then: Joan Gamper. The swissman suicided and his funeral was a multitudinary even in Barcelona. Although the team fought for La Liga until the last day and despite the Catalan title, the blaugranas will always remember this year as one of the darkest.

Standings Primera Division
1. Athletic Club - 22
2. Racing Santander - 22
3. Real Sociedad - 22
4. FC Barcelona - 21
5. Arenas Getxo - 18
6. Real Madrid - 18
7. Real Union - 16
8. Alavés - 14
9. Español - 14
10. Europa - 13 (R)

Top scorer: Bata (Athletic Club) - 27 goals in 17 games
Best Goalie: Zarraonaindia (Arenas Getxo) - 27 goals in 14 games (1,92 goals/game)

Segunda Division Standings
1. Valencia - 26 (P)
2. Sevilla - 23
3. Atlético Madrid - 23
4. Sporting Gijon - 18
5. Castellon - 18
6. Betis - 17
7. Real Murcia - 14
8. Real Oviedo - 14
9. Deportivo - 14
10. Iberia Zaragoza - 13 (R)

Valencia, a historical of Spain, although they were founded in the early 20s, finally promoted to Primera Division. They did it 2 games before the end of the tournament.

Copa del Rey

Frederick Pentland's Athletic had no rival in Spain at that time and they achievied the 2nd "Double" in 2 years. The victim was Real Betis, a team of Sevilla that had struggled to stay in Segunda División. Athletic accomplished with their favourite condition and they had no problems to beat the verdiblancos. Chirri II in the 23', Roberto in the 38' and La Liga's top-scorer Bata in the 54', put the 3-0 in the scoreboard. Sanz in the 57', scored the consolation goal for the sevillanos. The game was played in Chamartin.

Pentland

1931-1932

La Liga

Just one week after the end of the previous season, the King Alfonso XIII left Spain due to the victory of the republican and left parties in the local elections. The consequence in football was that all the teams with the name "Real" lost it. In Primera, Real Madrid became "Madrid FC" again, Real Sociedad became "Donostia" and "Real Union Irun" became "Union Irun".

Finally, in 1932, 15 years after their last important victory, Madrid achieved a title. Until that time, Barcelona and, especially, Athletic had been the dominant clubs. Madrid had made a good investement in the previous season and it finally worked. It was a team based on a great defense, led by Quincoces, probably one of the best defenders in the world back then, and the main star was the legend Ricardo Zamora, who just received 15 goals that year.

Madrid did a good year, not losing any game. Athletic still kept the same squad that had won everything in the last 2 years, but the goals of their amazing forward line (Gorostiza -top scorer again-, Bata, Iraragorri, Lafuente, Chirri II) were not enough to retain the title. This year, Athletic and Madrid started a fight that would last for the rest of the decade.

Barcelona entered in crisis. Barcelona was a tense city in the times of the II Republica and the amount of socios decreased dramatically. Barcelona was unable to keep the stars and many players left. As a proof of this, Barça had 3 presidents that year. Jack Greenwell had returned to Les Corts and saved the season winning the Campeonato de Catalunya.

Real Union got relegated that year. This Basque club had been one of the most important clubs in the previous decade and an example of the Basque dominance in the Spanish football.

Primera Division Standings
1. Real Madrid - 28
2. Athletic Club - 25
3. FC Barcelona - 24
4. Racing Santander - 20
5. Arenas Getxo - 17
6. Español - 15
7. Valencia - 15
8. Real Sociedad - 14
9. Alavés - 11
10. Real Union - 11 (R)

Top scorer: Gorostiza (Athletic Club) - 12 goals in 15 games
Best Goalie: Zamora (Real Madrid) - 15 goals in 17 games (0,88 goals/game)

Segunda Division Standings
1. Betis - 21 (P)
2. Oviedo - 19
3. Sporting - 18
4. Atlético Madrid - 18
5. Murcia - 17
6. Deportivo - 15
7. Castellon - 15
8. Sevilla - 11
9. Celta - 10
10. Catalunya - 0* (before Europa) (R)

*Europa retired after 15 games due to economic problems. All their games were cancelled.

Betis got the promotion in an epic game in the last day, beating Oviedo 4-2, in a game that Oviedo was leading 0-2.

Copa del Rey

Pentland's Athletic got surprised in La Liga by the defense of Real Madrid, but they retained their favourite title: the Copa. At that moment called Copa de España, since the departure of the King Alonso XIII. The final of Chamartin faced the 2 big teams of Spain until then: Barcelona and Athletic. The Basque club imposed their strength to beat the Catalans thanks to a goal by Bata in the 57'. Barcelona had their chance in the 10', but Zabala missed a penalty. Athletic won the trophy in property for the 2nd time. It was their 13th Copa title.


1932-1933

La Liga

Madrid retained the title based on the same kind of defensive football. That Madrid was a wall and didn't receive goals easily and the star of that Madrid was Zamora, the best goalkeeper of the world at that moment. Pentland's Athletic was the rival again. Even though the Basques scored 24 goals more and despite the victory of the "leones" over the madridistas in the 2 games that faced each other, La Liga stayed in the capital of Spain again.

Barcelona entered in big crisis. The year started awfully. The home idol Josep Samitier, already in advanced age, left the blaugranas to play in Madrid that year. Samitier didn't play many games in Madrid and, even though the rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona wasn't as big as it is nowadays, they still were bir rivals and Samitier was labelled as a traitor in Barcelona. Besides, Espanyol had achieved the Campeonato de Catalunya in the last game, in Les Corts. A tragedy, since this tournament was very important for the Catalan clubs back then. Besides, the eternal rival finished over them in La Liga too.


Primera Division Standings
1. Real Madrid - 28
2. Athletic Club - 26
3. Español - 22
4. FC Barcelona - 19
5. Betis - 17
6. Real Sociedad - 15
7. Arenas Getxo - 14
8. Racing Santander - 14
9. Valencia - 13
10. Alaves - 12 (R)

Top scorer: Olivares (Real Madrid) - 12 goals in 15 games
Best goalie: Zamora (Real Madrid) - 17 goals in 18 games (0,94 goals/game)

Segunda Division Standings
1. Oviedo - 27 (P)
2. Atlético - 24
3. Murcia - 20
4. Real Union - 20
5. Deportivo - 20
6. Sporting - 18
7. Celta - 17
8. Osasuna - 17
9. Sevilla - 13
10. Castellon - 4 (R)

Oviedo achieved the promotion that they lost the previous year. Castellon refused to play the last 4 games of the season, since their stadium was closed and they were forced to play in Mestalla.

Copa del Rey

Athletic got their revenge in their favourite tournament. Zamora's Real Madrid reached a final 3 years later, but they lost it again, as it happened in 1930, again in the magnificent stadium of Montjuïc in Barcelona. The Liga winners scored first (Lazcano 22'), but in a fantastic minute, Gorostiza tied the game in the 72' and Lafuente overcame the result in the 73', giving the 14th Copa to the Basques.

1933-1934

La Liga

Athletic added one more title, the 3rd Liga. Mr. Pentland's team was one of the best squads of the world at that moment and their forward line was difficult to match. That year, Madrid's defense wasn't as efficient and, even though the merengues won the Copa, the team started to show signals of tiredness, unlike the Basques. It was a close fight between both clubs until the end, but "los leones" raised the cup.

It's also important to notice the big crisis of Barça, that was living one of their worst moments in history. The economic disaster of the Catalans almost sent them to Segunda División and they saved their head because La Liga was going to raise the amount of clubs of Primera up to 12. They kept losing big players, this time Arocha.

At the same time, it was also the appearance of one of the best strikers of La Liga's history: Lángara, Oviedo player, whose career was amazing, but short due to the tragedy of the Spanish Civil War.

Primera Division Standings
1. Athletic Club - 24
2. Real Madrid - 22
3. Racing Santander - 19
4. Betis - 19
5. Real Sociedad - 18
6. Oviedo - 18
7. Valencia - 17
8. Español - 17
9. FC Barcelona - 16
10. Arenas Getxo - 10

Top scorer: Lángara (Oviedo) - 27 goals in 18 games
Best GK: Blasco (Athletic) - 21 goals in 14 games (1,5 goals/game)

Segunda Division Standings
1. Sevilla - 27 (P)
2. Atlético Madrid - 24 (P)
3. Murcia - 21
4. Celta - 20
5. Osasuna - 18
6. Sporting - 18
7. Deportivo - 17
8. Rea Union - 16
9. Sabadell - 14
10. Alaves - 5 (R)

There were not going to be relegations, but Alavés refused to play in Segunda anymore. Sevilla arrived to Primera for the first time and Atlético recovered the cathegory lost in 1930.

Segunda Division suffered a remodelation and was divided in 3 groups (North East, North West, South) of 8 teams. The best 2 teams of each group played a final league between them.

Copa del Rey

17 years Madrid had to wait to see their team raising the Copa. Paco Bru's Real Madrid finally won a final, this time against Jack Greenwell's Valencia. The final wasn't easy for the madridistas, since the "ché" team scored first (Vilanova), at the begining of the 2nd half (48'). The madridistas didn't give up and tied the game 19 minutes before the end, thanks to Hilario. The valencianista resistance finished 2 minutes later with the goals of Lazcano that gave the 6th Copa to Real Madrid.

1934-1935

La Liga

Unexpected winner in La Liga. After 5 years of battles between Real Madrid and Athletic, everyone expected another fight between both giants, but Betis broke the trend and won the first Liga with 12 teams. That year, Athletic didn't respond to the expectations and was unable to fight for the title. Besides, they had to see how one of their subs, the striker Unamuno, was the one that led the sevillistas to their first (and last) Liga title. With Athletic in low moments, Madrid was supposed to be the favourites, but the team's power was decreasing, even though they still had something to say before the Civil War. Betis' title was based on an extraordinary defense, receiving 15 goals less than Zamora's Real Madrid. Athletic finished 4th, also passed by Langara's Oviedo. Barcelona made their ex-goalie Plattko be the coach and the blaugranas recovered the Campeonato de Catalunya, although they were far from being a top club in Spain at that moment. It was also a disaster of year for the Basque football with Real Sociedad and Arenas Getxo going to Segunda.

Betis had been a club founded on 1909. His founder had been a member of the board of Sevilla FC, who left the club mad with their mates in the sevillista club. The reason was that Sevilla was an "elitist" club and they rejected a player because he was "a simple worker". Since then, Sevilla FC was supposed to be the club of the rich, while Betis was the club of the workers. Something that changed as the society changed with time. But back then, Betis was the team of the workers, the team of the left, while Sevilla was the team of the spoiled rich land owners of Andalucia.

Primera Division Standings
1. Betis - 34
2. Real Madrid - 33
3. Oviedo - 26
4. Athletic Club - 25
5. Sevilla - 24
6. FC Barcelona - 24
7. Atlético - 21
8. Español - 20
9. Valencia - 20
10. Racing Santander - 17
11. Real Sociedad - 11 (R)
12. Arenas Getxo - 9 (R)

Top scorer: Langara (Oviedo) - 26 goals in 22 games
Best GK: Urquiaga (Betis) - 19 goals in 21 games (0,9 goals/game)

Segunda Division - Final Phase
1. Hercules - 14 (P)
2. Osasuna - 13 (P)
3. Celta - 12
4. Murcia - 11
5. Sabadell - 8
6. Valladolid - 2

Copa del Rey

The city of Sevilla closed the best year of their history with Sevilla FC winning the title. The rivalry between Betis and Sevilla was already big in the city. While Betis won La Liga, Sevilla crushed a Segunda Division team: CE Sabadell, who had won the Campeonato de Catalunya the year before. The final was played in Madrid, Campanal scored 2 goals for Sevilla (35', 71') and Bracero closed the beating (87'). The city of Sevilla won everything that year.

1935-1936

La Liga

Noone knew that this was going to be the last Liga in 3 years. The situation in Spain was already tense. In that atmosphere, Athletic won their 4th Liga title. Once again, Real Madrid was their main rival, who were the runner-ups for the 3rd year in a row. Langara also drove Oviedo to the top positions, but once again his extraodinary goal records were not enough to fight for something bigger. Meanwhile, Barcelona was lost in the middle of the standings, focusing in their own survival. A draw of Madrid and the victory of Athletic over Osasuna in San Mamés. The goals of Bata, Iraragorri and Gorostiza were essential to achieve the title, like the goals of a young Garate, the link between this great generation of Athletic and the next, already in the 40s.

Primera Division Standings
1. Athletic Club - 31
2. Real Madrid - 29
3. Oviedo - 28
4. Racing Santander - 27
5. Barcelona - 24
6. Hercules - 24
7. Betis - 20
8. Valencia - 19
9. Español - 17
10. Sevilla - 16
11. Atlético Madrid - 15 (R)*
12. Osasuna - 14 (R)*

Atlético and Osasuna were relegated in 1936, but the Civil War destroyed Oviedo, who couldn't compete right after the war. Atlético and Osasuna played a game in 1939 to know who was going to play instead of Oviedo. Atlético won 3-1.

Top scorer: Langara (Oviedo) - 27 goals in 21 games
Best GK: Blasco (Athletic) - 30 goals in 21 games (1,42 goals/game)

Copa del Rey

The last Copa of the II Republica. 3 days before the final, the General Franco had made a coup d'etat which failed. But still the fascist army had invided some zones of the south of Spain and almost all the Western zone of the Iberic peninsula. In that confusing situation, Barcelona and Madrid played the Copa final in a full Mestalla. The madridistas closed their glorious decade with another Copa title, beating the blaugranas 2-1. Madrid defined the final in 15 minutes, Eugenio scored for the merengues in the 6' and Lecue scored the 2nd in the 12'. Escolà reduced the gap in the 27', but Barcelona couldn't do anymore and the Copa title returned to Madrid 2 years later. It was the last game of Zamora, a legend and the hero of the final for the madridistas.

As it happened with La Liga, it was the last Copa in democracy and football had to wait 3 years to see another final in Spain.

1936-1939

Spain had to suffer a terrible Civil War. Spain got divided in 2 sides, the fascist zone in the hands of Franco and helped by the troops of Hitler and Mussolini, who were testing methods for the World War 2; and the democratic zone, loyal to the II Republica.

The national tournaments stopped, although in some zones football was still played. In the Democratic zone, there was a tournament called "The Cup of the free Spain", played by Valencia, Levante, Espanyol and Girona. The tournament was won by Levante, although it wasn't recognized by the FEF afterwards, as they did with the Torneo del Generalisimo Franco won by Sevilla in 1939 in the fascist Spain.

Barcelona's president, Sunyol, was captured by the fascists near Madrid and executed by the army of Franco. The team left Spain and travelled to Mexico to play friendly games to survive. Some of the players didn't return to Spain after the war and had to stay in the exile. The club was ran by the workers of the club. In 1937, the team went back to Spain and won unofficial tournaments played in the democratic zone. That year, the club was bombed by the fascists and old files, trophies and memories disappeared. In 1938, with Barcelona haunted by the fascists, the club stopped all the activities.

Real Madrid stopped since the first day, since Madrid was surrounded by the fascists very soon. The stadium of Chamartin became a prison and was bombed during the war. They had to start from zero after Madrid was invaded by Franco.

Athletic also stopped all the activities, since the Basque country was soon haunted by the fascists and felt in their hands pretty soon.

Many clubs of Spain suffered the consequences of the war. Right after the end of it, FC Barcelona had to change the name for Barcelona Club de Futbol, the Spanish way to call it. The same happened with many clubs: Atlético de Bilbao, for example. The Catalans also lost the senyera (Catalan flag) in their badge.

Atlético Madrid had to merge with Nacional Aviacion, a team of the army, in 1939, since the club was destroyed and have lost many players, dead or prisoners. The club changed the name again to Atlético Madrid in 1946.

Copa del Rey 1939

It was called Trofeo Generalisimo Franco. It was a joke of tournament, but still recognized by the FEF, unlike the trophies won by Levante and Barcelona in the republican side. It was played by teams of cities loyal to Franco since the begining and won by Sevilla against Racing Ferrol, the club of Franco's hometown.

This Sevilla was going to set an era in their club. They were called "Los Stukas" (The Stukas), like the Nazi bombers that had destoyed Spain during the Civil War. The great striker Juan Arza is the best player in their history and was the star of that team that won this Copa and even one Liga in the 40s.

1939-1940

La Liga

First Liga after the Civil War. It was won by Atlético Aviación (Atlético Madrid), a club especially supported by Franco's army right after the Civil War. With most of the clubs in an awful situation, the atléticos won the title having in Sevilla (another club helped by the new regime) their main rival. Atlético's coach was the ex-goalie, Ricardo Zamora. Athletic and Madrid recovered some of their players and were still competitive. Barcelona had a tough year, since several key players were suspended for one season, since they didn't have return to the fascist Spain. That year, Barcelona signed the striker César and Martín, 2 important players in the decade that was about to start.

Standings Primera Division
1. Atlético Aviacion (Madrid) - 29
2. Sevilla - 28
3. Athletic Club - 26
4. Real Madrid - 25
5. RCD Español - 24
6. Hercules - 23
7. Zaragoza - 21
8. Valencia - 21
9. Barcelona - 19
10. Celta - 19 (Pr)
11. Betis - 16 (R)
12. Racing - 13 (R)

Promotion game: Celta 1-0 Deportivo

Top scorer: Unamuno (Athletic) - 20 goals in 22 games
Tabales (Atletico) - 29 goals in 21 games (1,38 goals/game)

Segunda Division Final Phase
1. Real Murcia - 9 (P)
2. Deportivo - 9 (Pr)
3. Cadiz - 9
4. Levante - 8
5. Real Sociedad - 5

Copa del Rey (Copa del Generalismo Franco until 1976)

RCD Español won the Copa again, 11 years later. Once again, the victim was Real Madrid, despite the game was played in Vallecas, Madrid. Alonso scored the first for the merengues in the 5'. Martinez Català tied the game in the 35'. The last minutes were tense, Español scored th 2nd with 5 minutes to go, again Martinez Català. Real Madrid tied the game in the last minute (Alday). In the extra time, the Catalans achieved their 2nd Copa thanks to the goal of Mes in the 110'. Caicedo's team was the champion and the Copa went to Barcelona.

Summary of the decade

Liga
1931 - Athletic Club
1932 - Real Madrid
1933 - Real Madrid
1934 - Athletic Club
1935 - Real Betis
1936 - Athletic Club
1940 - Atlético Aviacion (Atlético Madrid)

4 - Athletic Club
2 - Real Madrid
1 - FC Barcelona, Real Betis, Atlético Aviación (Atl. Madrid)

Copa
1931 - Athletic Club
1932 - Athletic Club
1933 - Athletic Club
1934 - Real Madrid
1935 - Sevilla FC
1936 - Real Madrid
1939 - Sevilla FC
1940 - RCD Español

14 - Athletic Club
8 - FC Barcelona
7 - Real Madrid CF
4 - Real Union Irun (Racing Club)
2 - RCD Español
2 - Sevilla FC
1 - Club Ciclista (Real Sociedad)
1 - Arenas Getxo

 

From Atlético Aviación to Atlético Madrid; Athletic's Copa dominance; Valencia's "electric forwards"; Barcelona get born again; and the arrival of Bernabeu

1940-1941

La Liga

Atlético Aviación (Atl. Madrid) repeated the history again. The team driven by Ricardo Zamora from the bench dominated the season and won the 2nd title for the club of the Metropolitano. The rojiblancos based their victory in the impressive attacking power of the team and, mainly, in the goals of Pruden, who scored 30 out of the 70 goals of the team. Historical was also the victory 0-5 in San Mamés.

Preciselly, Athletic was the rival to beat and the only ones who came close in the standings. "Los leones" were building a team that was going to give them a lot of happy moments to the Basques.

The 3rd position was for a new power: Valencia CF, who won the Copa del Generalisimo that year. Barcelona and Madrid were still recovering from the war and they were irrelevant during the season. Last Liga of 12 teams.

Standings Primera
1. Atlético Aviación - 33
2. Athletic Club - 31
3. Valencia - 27
4. FC Barcelona - 27
5. Sevilla - 26
6. Real Madrid - 24
7. RCD Español - 22
8. Real Oviedo - 16
9. Hércules - 16
10. Celta - 15
11. Zaragoza - 14 (Pr)
12. Murcia - 13 (Pr)

Top scorer - Pruden (Atlético) - 30 goals in 22 games
Best GK - Echeverria (Athletic) - 21 goals in 18 games (1,16 goals/game)

Segunda Division Final Phase
1. Granada - 8 (P)
2. Real Sociedad - 6 (P)
3. Deportivo - 6 (Pr)
4. Castellon - 4

Promotion games:
Deportivo 2-1 Murcia
Castellon 3-2 Zaragoza

Copa del Rey

That day of June 1941 saw the first title of a club which was going to be one of the biggest clubs in Spain and Europe. Valencia beated the former champion, Español, 3-1. The great striker Mundo, who was going to set an era in Mestalla, scored 2 early goals (9' and 25'). Asensi scored the 3rd in the 64', which meant the sentence for Español, who could only scored a goal in the 74', in a penalty scored by Teruel.

Valencia was founded in 1919, so it wasn't the first club of the city, which was Levante. They just had some regional titles, but they were irrelevant until then. In 1940, the most important president of their history, Luis Casanova, took the job. Mestalla was a tiny stadium, which had been destroyed by the fascists during the Civil War, and he incresed the capacity up to 20,000 people. In a record time, Luis Casanova made a great team and this was the first title of more to come. The players were received in Valencia like heroes, since the Copa was the big tournament yet, over La Liga.

Mestalla

1941-1942

La Liga

Valencia won their first Liga title thanks to the so-called "electric forwards": Asensi, Epi, Gorostiza, Amadeo and Mundo. The first Liga of 14 teams was a "military walk" for this amazing Valencia, that crushed all the rivals they found during the year. The valencianistas scored 85 goals, a record back then, 20 more goals than the 2nd. It was the 2nd title of a team that was going to be one of the most important of the decade.

Real Madrid came in second position. The madridistas did a good season, although these were hard times in Chamartín, but still their best season since the Civil War. With the same points, the bi-champion Atlético Aviación lost their dominance that season.

Athletic had an average season in Liga, although better than Barcelona, who had to play a play-off game to stay in Primera Division.

Primera Division Standings
1. Valencia CF- 40
2. Real Madrid - 33
3. Atlético Aviacion - 33
4. Deportivo - 28
5. Celta - 28
6. Sevilla - 27
7. Athletic Club - 27
8. Castellon - 26
9. RCD Español - 26
10. Granada - 25
11. Oviedo - 23 (Pr)
12. FC Barcelona - 19 (Pr)
13. Hercules - 17 (R)
14. Real Sociedad - 12 (R)

Top scorer - Mundo (Valencia) 27 goals in 25 games
Best GK - Acuña (Deportivo) 37 goals in 26 games (1,42 goals/game)

Segunda Division Final Phase
1. Real Betis - 15 (P)
2. Zaragoza - 13 (P)
3. Murcia - 12 (Pr)
4. Sabadell - 9 (Pr)
5. Sporting - 8
6. Salamanca - 3

Play off:
Barcelona 5-1 Murcia
Oviedo 3-1 Sabadell

Copa del Rey

30000 people filled Chamartin (Madrid) to see what was "El Clasico" of the Spanish football back then. FC Barcelona achieved the 9th Copa title of their history against an Athletic that was going to set an era with Juan Urquizu driving them from the bench and Zarra, Garate, Iriondo and Panizo on the field.

José Nogués' Barça scored first, in the 19', Escolá. Just 9 minutes later, Iriondo tied the game. The 2nd half was crazy, 2 early goals by Martín started to write his name in Barelona's history with 2 goals in the 51' and thr 59'. When the game was dying "los leones" reacted and Elices in the 79' and the myth Telmo Zarra in the 81' tied the game again. Finally, in the extra time, Martín completed the hat trick, scoring the 4th and final goal for Barcelona in the 110'. The Catalans saved the season one week later winning the play-off game.

1942-1943

La Liga

Athletic completed the amazing forward line than any lover of the Spanish football must know by memory: Zarra, Iriondo, Panizo, Garate and Gainza. The Basques won their 5th Liga title, recovering the dominance of the Spanish football. This generation of Athletic achieved the first title of more to come. La Liga was competitive until the end this time.

Sevilla also started to build a team that was going to give a lot of happiness to their fans and finished just 3 points under Athletic. Barcelona was 3rd thanks to the goals of Martín, who was going to become the top scorer of the year.

Real Madrid and Atlético had a bad year and they had to fight to save from relegation. The former champions, Valencia, had a bad year, but it wasn't the end of that team.

Primera Division Standings
1. Athletic Club - 36
2. Sevilla - 33
3. FC Barcelona - 32
4. Castellon - 31
5. Celta - 30
6. Oviedo - 28
7. Valencia - 27
8. Atlético Aviación - 27
9. Deportivo - 26
10. Real Madrid - 25
11. RCD Español - 24 (Pr)
12. Granada - 22 (Pr)
13. Zaragoza - 13 (R)
14. Betis - 10 (R)

Top scorer - Martin (FC Barcelona) - 32 goals in 23 games
Best GK - Acuña (Deportivo) - 31 goals in 26 games (1,21 goals/game)

Segunda Division Final Phase
1. Sabadell - 13 (P)
2. Real Sociedad - 12 (P)
3. Valladolid - 11 (Pr)
4. Sporing - 10 (Pr)
5. Ceuta - 6
6. Salamanca - 3

Play off:
Granada 2-0 Valladolid
Español 2-1 Sporting

Copa del Rey

Polemic season in the Copa that year. The semifinals were a turning point in the relationship of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barcelona had beaten the madridistas in Les Corts, 3-0. The 2nd leg in Chamartín will pass to history as one of the darkest days for Barcelona in history. The Catalans went to Madrid as clear favourites, but the game finished 11-1 for the madridistas, who passed to the final. Some minutes before the game, a member of Falange (only political party allowed by the regime and fascist ideology) entered in the locker room of the barcelonistas and threatened the players with their lives, if they didn't lose the game. After these shameful action, the president of Barcelona, Piñeyro, also member of Falange and put there by the regime, but barcelonista, resigned protesting for the "methods" used by the regime of Franco. The same happened with the bosses of the Spanish FA in the zone of Catalonia. The madridistas denied that this happened, but still some players of Barcelona retired in an early age that season, sick of these things.

The final was played in the Metropolitano stadium of Madrid in front of 50,000 people. Athletic completed the Double and won their 15th Copa title, thanks to a goal by Telmo Zarra in the extra time (114'). Their captain Oceja got the trophy.

1943-1944

La Liga

Valencia's "electric forwards" showed that they still had a lot to say and won the 2nd title in 3 years. Once again, the goals of Mundo were essential to achieve the championship. And once again, Valencia rolled over their rivals, having an easy run towards the victory.

Atlético Aviación came in 2nd position, although they couldn't pressure Valencia through the season. Sevilla was getting closer and finished in 3rd place.

Barcelona, who initially appeared as one of the favourites for the title, had a bad season, due to the important missing of Martín, injured through all the season. Athletic had a bad year and finished in the bottom of the standings, although they avoided relegation and won the Copa afterwards.

Real Madrid also had an average season. But this season would pass to their history anyway. In September 1943, Santiago Bernabeu was chosen president by their socios. Santiago Bernabeu had been one of the forwards of the Madrid between 1911 and 1928, achieving one Copa for them. When Franco started the Civil War, Santiago Bernabeu joined the fascists and fought against democracy. That period was useful for him to know important people in the fascist regime. Santiago Bernabeu was going to be one of the most important men, in Madrid, in the Spanish football and, also in the World football.

Primera Division Standings
1. Valencia CF - 40
2. Atlético Aviación - 34
3. Sevilla - 32
4. Oviedo - 29
5. Castellon - 29
6. Barcelona - 28
7. Real Madrid - 28
8. Granada - 26
9. Sabdadell - 25
10. Athletic - 25
11. Español - 23 (Pr)
12. Deportivo - 19 (Pr)
13. Real Sociedad - 17 (R)
14. Celta - 9 (R)

Top scorer: Mundo (Valencia) 27 goals in 26 games
Best GK: Eizaguirre (Valencia) 32 goals in 26 games (1,23 goals/game)

Segunda Division
1. Sporting - 37 (P)
2. Murcia - 32 (P)
3. Constancia - 31 (Pr)
4. Alcoyano - 30 (Pr)
5. Xerez - 29
6. Zaragoza - 29
7. Betis - 29
8. Ceuta - 25
9. Cultural Leonesa - 25
10. Hercules - 22
11. Barakaldo - 19
12. Arenas Getxo - 19 (R)
13. Osasuna - 18 (R)
14. Valladolid - 18 (R)

Copa del Rey

Juan Irquizo's Athletic and the goals of Zarra (29') and Escudero (44') in the first half of the game, avoided Valencia's Double. The Basque club won the 16th Copa, the 2nd in a row, one more for this fantastic generation. Once again, this match was a party and filled Montjuïc, the biggest stadium of Spain back then, with 65000 people.

1944-1945

La Liga

Josep Samitier, hero and traitor 2 decades ago, went back to Barcelona and became the coach of the blaugranas. Barcelona had reached the 20000 socios and Les Corts raised the capacity to 60,000. César became a top striker in the Spanish football and did a fantastic season, scoring 15 goals, only surpassed by his teammate, another local hero, Escolà with 16. It was the first Liga for the Catalans since the 1st edition of the competition in 1929. 16 years had to wait Barcelona to win their 2nd Liga.

The main rival was Bernabeu's Madrid. The madridistas, which were the club of Spain with more socios back then, were starting to talk about a new stadium: the new Chamartin.

Athletic had a bad season in La Liga, although they retained the Copa title. Atlético Aviación and Oviedo couldn't follow the 2 big clubs.

Standings Primera Division
1. FC Barcelona - 39
2. Real Madrid - 38
3. Atlético Aviación - 31
4. Oviedo - 31
5. Valencia - 30
6. Athletic Club - 30
7. Sporting - 24
8. Castellón - 24
9. RCD Español - 23
10. Sevilla - 22
11. Murcia - 19
12. Granada - 19 (Pr)
13. Sabadell - 17
14. Deportivo - 17

Top scorer - Zarra (Athletic) 19 goals in 26 games
Best GK - Eizaguirre (Valencia) 32 goals in 26 games (1,27 goals/game)

Segunda Division
1. Alcoyano - 34 (P)
2. Hercules - 34 (P)
3. Celta - 32 (Pr)
4. Real Sociedad - 31
5. Xerez - 29
6. Racing - 26
7. Zaragoza - 26
8. Betis - 26
9. Ceuta - 24
10. Racing Ferrol - 24
11. Mallorca - 22
12. Constancia - 22 (R)
13. Cultural Leonesa - 22 (R)
14. Barakaldo - 13 (R)

Copa del Rey

Second Athletic-Valencia final in a row, again in a full Montjuïc. And again, Athletic won the title, which was the 17th Copa for them. This time, the game was more beautiful. The valencianistas got an early advantage in the 11', thanks to a goal by Amadeo. But Athletic responded pretty soon, with a goal by La Liga's top scorer Zarra in the 21'. Just 5 minutes later, Panizo scored the 2nd for Athletic. Mundo tied the game in the 36' again, in a battle of great strikers.

With 5 minutes to go, Alvaro (Valencia) and Zarra (Athletic) were sent off. When the game was about to finish, Panizo scored again and became the hero of the day, giving the title to the Basques.

1945-1946

La Liga

La Liga saw a new champion: Sevilla FC. Ramón Encinas, who had been Real Madrid's coach in previous seasons, drove Sevilla to their first and only Liga title. The season was a battle between the big favourites, Barcelona, and the surprise of the season, Sevilla. A team that had been doing pretty well in the last decade and finally got the so wished glory in La Liga.

Besides, the last game was a "final". Sevilla had to visit Barcelona's home, Les Corts, and they were one point over the Catalans, who needed the victory to repeat the triumph of the previous season. But Sevilla surprised the blaugranas scoring first, Araujo. Barcelona went for everything in the 2nd half and tied the game with a goal by Bravo. The last minutes were a constant attack by the Catalans, who couldn't score the goal that would have given the title to them. Sevilla was the champion.

Athletic finished 3rd, 3 points far from the sevillistas, and breaking 3 years of titles. although they remodelated the stadium. Real Madrid was 4th. The madridistas had started to build a new impressive stadium, the "Nuevo Chamartin" and had abandoned the old Chamartin. That year, they shared the Metropolitano with Atlético Aviación. The atléticos cut the link with the army and they got the independence, getting their current name: Atlético Madrid.

San Mamés

Primera Division Standings
1. Sevilla FC - 36
2. FC Barcelona - 35
3. Athletic - 33
4. Real Madrid - 31
5. Oviedo - 29
6. Valencia - 28
7. Atlético Aviación - 27
8. Castellon - 26
9. Sporting - 25
10. Ceuta - 21
11. Murcia - 20
12. Español - 19 (Pr)
13. Hercules - 19 (R)
14. Alcoyano - 15 (R)

Top scorer - Zarra (Athletic) 24 goals in 18 games
Best GK - Bañon (Real Madrid) 29 goals in 25 games (1,16 goals/game)

Segunda Division Standings
1. Sabadell - 35 (P)
2. Deportivo - 33 (P)
3. Nàstic Tarragona - 29 (Pr)
4. Granada - 29
5. Cordoba - 29
6. Real Sociedad - 27
7. Racing Ferrol - 25
8. Mallorca - 25
9. Racing Santander - 24
10. Zaragoza - 24
11. Betis - 24
12. Xerez - 22 (R)
13. Salamanca - 20 (R)
14. Ceuta - 18 (R)

Play off: Español 3-0 Nàstic

Copa del Rey

Santiago Bernabeu's first title for Real Madrid. Once again in Montjuïc, Barcelona. The madridistas had a new coach, the merengue legend Jacinto Quincoces, was the one who gave the 8th Copa to Real Madrid. It was also the 3rd final lost in a row for Valencia. Barinaga advanced the madridistas in the 5'. Pruden scored the 2nd right before the end of the first half (40') and the 3rd in the begining of the 2nd half (52'). The great Valencia of Eduardo Cobells scored their only goal in the 81' in a penalty scored by Gorostiza.

1946-1947

La Liga

3rd Liga of the decade for Valencia, who finished it as the club with more Liga titles along with Barça. But this time it wasn't an easy walk and the valencianistas had to suffer until the last minute. Valencia started the season awfully. After 8 games, they were just 2 points over the relegation zone. But the ché team did a great second part of the season.

They reached the final day without a champion. Athletic was one point over the valencianistas and the Basques were the big favourites to achieve the title. Valencia played in Mestalla against the humble Sporting and they won the game without a problem: 6-0. But the Basques went to fail in the worst moment, they needed to win the game to achieve one more Liga, but they tied 3-3 in Riazor, against Deportivo, who already were in Segunda División.

But Valencia had started the last day in 3rd position. The valencianistas also needed Atlético Madrid to fail... and the atléticos lost 2-3 in the Metropolitano against their big rivals, Real Madrid, who gave the title to Valencia on a silver plate.

Valencia had beaten Athletic in both games and they won thanks to the goal average. Without radios and TVs, they knew that they were the champions thanks to the phones.

Barcelona could just finish in 4th position, although the regime allowed that the club could choose their own president.

Another important date of the year was the day that the "Nuevo Chamartin" opened their doors. A mythical stadium nowadays.

Real Madrid also beated Valencia (3-1) in the Copa Eva Duarte Perón, a precedent of the Supercopa.
Primera Division Standings
1. Valencia CF - 34
2. Athletic Club - 34
3. Atlético Madrid - 32
4. Barcelona - 31
5. Sabadell - 30
6. Sevilla - 29
7. Real Madrid - 27
8. Oviedo - 26
9. Celta - 26
10. Sporting - 25
11. Español - 19
12. Murcia - 19 (Pr)
13. Deportivo - 18 (Pr)
14. Castellon - 13 (Pr)

Top scorer: Zarra (Athletic) - 34 goals in 24 games
Best GK - Lezama (Athletic) - 29 goals in 23 games (1,26 goals/game)

Segunda Division
1. Alcoyano - 38 (P)
2. Nàstic - 35 (P)
3. Real Sociedad - 32 (Pr)
4. Hercules - 30
5. Levante - 26
6. Mallorca - 26
7. Granada - 25
8. Cordoba - 25
9. Malaga - 23
10. Racing Ferrol - 22
11. Barakaldo - 21
12. Racing - 21 (R)
13. Zaragoza - 21 (R)
14. Betis - 21 (R)

Play off: Real Sociedad 2-0 Murcia

Copa del Rey

Bernabeu's 2nd Copa and Madrid's 9th. This time the final was played in A Coruña for the first time ever, in Riazor, in front of 35000 people. The madridistas beated Español in the extra time. The game was tense with 3 players sent off, Molowny (Madrid) and Celma (Español) fought between them and had to leave the game in the 49'. Madrid scored 2 goals in the 2nd half of the extra time, Vidal (106') and Pruden (119'). Right before the end, Corono (Madrid) was sent off too.

1947-1948

La Liga

Barcelona started their 2nd glorious era in this moment. The blaugranas won the 3rd Liga of their history in a team that had César, as the main star, and also great players as Basora, the Gonzalvo brothers and the goalie Velasco. The barcelonistas had their main rival in Valencia, the previous champions.

Also Atlético Madrid started to build an important team and were fighting until the end. They built the so called "Delantera de Seda" (The Smoothy Forwards), formed by the right winger Juncosa; the right attacking midfilder Vidal; Silva, the striker; Escudero, the great left winger; and Campos, left attacking mid.

Athletic started to face some tough moments and were a mid table team. Real Madrid saved from relegation to Segunda Division in the final game.

Barcelona won the Copa Eva Duarte Peron, beating 1-0 Sevilla.

Primera Division
1. FC Barcelona - 37
2. Valencia CF - 34
3. Atl. Madrid - 34
4. Celta - 31
5. Sevilla - 29
6. Athletic - 28
7. Nàstic - 24
8. Español - 24
9. Oviedo - 23
10. Alcoyano - 22
11. Real Madrid - 21
12. Sabadell - 21
13. Real Sociedad - 19 (R)
14. Sporting - 18 (R)

Top scorer - Pahiño (Celta )- 23 goals in 22 games
Best GK - Velasco (Barcelona) - 31 goals in 26 games (1,19 goals/game)

Copa del Rey

Sevilla closed one of the brightest eras of their history with this triumph in the Nuevo Chamartin, full with 80,000 people. The sevillistas had no rival in Celta, 4-1. Despite the result, the first goal was scored by the galegos in the 5' by Muñoz. But the sevillistas equalized the game soon, scoring in the 18' (Mariano). Celta collapsed in the 2nd half and Mariano in the 58' and the 73' and the great Arza in the 78', completed the beating.

1948-1949

La Liga

Once again the Uruguayan ex-player Enrique Fernéndez drove Barcelona to La Liga title. The spine of the team was the same and the Catalans were the most regular club during the year. The rivals were the same: Mundo's Valencia and Atlético Madrid. Once again the goals of the great striker Cesar made the difference and Barcelona won the 4th Liga of their history.

At the same time, a goalkeeper who made history in Spain made his debut in Primera División: Ramallets. Barcelona's goal seemed to have the future assured.

Barcelona and Athletic were also involved in their 50th anniversary cellebrations.

Valencia achieved the Copa Eva Duarte Perón, crushing Barça 7-3, and getting their revenge.

Primera Division
1. FC Barcelona - 37
2. Valencia - 35
3. Real Madrid - 34
4. Atlético Madrid - 34
5. Oviedo - 30
6. Athletic - 24
7. Español - 24
8. Sevilla - 23
9. Nàstic - 23
10. Deportivo - 22
11. Celta - 22
12. Valladolid - 22
13. Alcoyano - 21 (R)
14. Sabadell - 13 (R)

Top scorer - Cesar (Barcelona) - 28 goals in 24 games
Best GK - Domingo (Atlético) - 28 goals in 24 games (1,16 goals/game)

Segunda Division
1. Real Sociedad - 35 (P)
2. Malaga - 35 (P)
3. Granada - 35
4. Hercules - 32
5. Barakaldo - 29
6. Sporting - 28
7. Murcia - 26
8. Castellon - 24
9. Levante - 22
10. Girona - 22
11. Racing - 21
12. Mestalla (Valencia B) - 19
13. Racing Ferrol - 15

Copa del Rey

The Nuevo Chamartin saw a final between one of the best teams of the decade, if not the best, Valencia; and the best club of the Spanish football until then, Athletic. Valencia finally achieved the wished 2nd Copa title, after the 3 finals lost that decade. The game was a tense game, decided by Epi in the 61' in a solitary goal. The coach was Quincoces, the great CB of the Madrid of the 30s.

1949-1950

La Liga

The decade finished as it had started: Atlético winning La Liga. It was the 3rd title for the club of the capital, surpassing the big rival, Real Madrid.

It was also the first big triumph of one of the greatest coaches in football's history: the Helenio Herrera.

The Argentinian coach had an attacking team, which was the base of the victories of Atlético. The rojiblancos were going to chain 2 Ligas in a row again, as it happened right after the Civil War.


Deportivo was the surprise of the season and they fought with the "colchoneros" until the last day. Also Valencia and Madrid gave Atlético bad moments during the year.

Barcelona and, once again, Athletic disappointed in the last league of 14 teams. It was also the year of the relegation of a team that had done really well in the last 2 decades: Oviedo.

Athletic achieved the Copa Eva Duarte Peron, beating Atlético in 2 games.

Primera Division
1. Atlético Madrid - 33
2. Deportivo - 32
3. Valencia - 31
4. Real Madrid - 31
5. Barcelona - 29
6. Athletic - 29
7. Celta - 28
8. Real Sociedad - 27
9. Valladolid - 25
10. Sevilla - 25
11. Español - 22
13. Nàstic - 16 (R)
14. Oviedo - 15 (R)

Top scorer - Zarra (Athletic) - 25 goals in 26 games
Best GK - Acuña (Deportivo) - 29 goals in 22 games (1,31 goals/game)

Segunda Final Phase
1. Racing Santander - 9 (P)
2. Lleida - 6 (P)
3. Murcia - 5 (P)
4. Alcoyano - 4 (P)

Copa del Rey

Athletic disappointed in Liga, but finally won a title 5 years later. It was the big night of Telmo Zarra, who crushed by himself Valladolid in the extra time. A Nuevo Chamartin full of people again saw how the national hero Zarra scored the first in the 14'. Five minute before the end Coque tied for Valladolid. But the best striker in Spain's history Zarra scored 3 more goals in the extra time: 94', 96', 116'. It was the Athletic of the forward line that everyone says like if it was poetry: Iriondo, Venancio, Zarra, Panizo and Gainza.

Spanish clubs in Europe

This season was the first time that there was a continental competition with Spanish teams involved. The Copa Latina was the seed of the future European Cup. This competition was played by the champions of the leagues of Spain, Portugal, France and Italy.

There was a previous continental competition that had some relevance in Central Europe: The Mitropa Cup. But after the WW2 and the division of Europe, it lost relevance. The Copa Latina was the most important continental tournament at the moment.

Each year was organized in a different country. The first edition was played in Spain and the Spanish champions FC Barcelona won the title, beating Sporting Lisbon in the final played in the Nuevo Chamartin (Madrid), 2-1. Torino got the 3rd place, beating 5-3 Stade-Reims.



Summary of the decade

La Liga
1941 - Atlético Aviación
1942 - Valencia CF
1943 - Athletic Club
1944 - Valencia CF
1945 - FC Barcelona
1946 - Sevilla FC
1947 - Valencia CF
1948 - FC Barcelona
1949 - FC Barcelona
1950 - Atlético Madrid

5 - Athletic Club
4 - FC Barcelona
3 - Atlético Madrid (Atl. Aviación), Valencia CF
2 - Real Madrid
1 - Real Betis, Sevilla FC

Copa del Rey

1941 - Valencia CF 3-1 RCD Español
1942 - FC Barcelona 4-3 Athletic Club
1943 - Athletic Club 1-0 Real Madrid
1944 - Athletic Club 2-0 Valencia CF
1945 - Athletic Club 3-2 Valencia CF
1946 - Real Madrid 3-1 Valencia CF
1947 - Real Madrid 2-0 RCD Español
1948 - Sevilla FC 4-1 RC Celta Vigo
1949 - Valencia CF 1-0 Athletic Club
1950 - Athletic Club 4-1 Real Valladolid

18 - Athletic Club
9 - FC Barcelona, Real Madrid
4 - Real Union Irun
3 - Sevilla FC
2 - RCD Español, Valencia CF
1 - Real Sociedad, Arenas Getxo

 

lol i have just spent ages reading this, i got sucked in because it was so interesting...I'll be sure to keep reading your next installments, keep em coming hombre!

Thanks for this Koeman4...

 

The Barcelona of Kubala and "Les Cinc Copes" vs. The Real Madrid of Bernabeu and Di Stéfano"

1950-1951

La Liga

Helenio Herrera led Atlético to win the 2nd Liga in a row. On the pitch, the star of Atlético was Adrian Escudero, the top scorer in Atlético Madrid's history. Aside Escudero, this great Atlético had good players like Juncosa, Pérez-Paya, Ben Barek and Carlsson. The rojiblancos based their victory in a good attack: the "Delantera de Cristal" (The forwards of class) formed by these 5 players.

Escudero

Ben Barek had been signed in 1948 from Stade Reims. The "Black Pearl" was a player from Morocco who had triumphed in France before. He'll always be recalled for his 3 goals in the Chamartin in the 3-6 of the atléticos.

Sevilla was their main rival during the year, but they couldn't repeat old stories. The "electric forwards of Valencia" were also near the champions, led by a young player called Puchades, who was going to mark their decade.

The 4th place was for FC Barcelona, but it was a turning point in the history of the blaugranas. A 23 year old Hungarian called Ladislao Kubala (aka "Laszy") signed for the Catalan club. Kubala, who had been international with Hungary, left his country due to the communist repression in his country. FIFA didn't allow him to play until April 1951, since he just ran away from his country. The blaugranas also signed the Czech coach Fernando Daucik, who was going to build a team that would pass to history.

Athletic and Real Madrid did an average season again. Telmo Zarra (Athletic) won the top scorer trophy for the 5th time in his life. Acuña (Deportivo) was the goalie with less goals received for the 4th and last time.

Primera Division
1. Atlético Madrid - 40
2. Sevilla FC - 38
3. Valencia - 37
4. FC Barcelona - 35
5. Real Sociedad - 35
6. Valladolid - 33
7. Athletic - 33
8. Celta - 33
9. Real Madrid - 31
10. Racing - 30
11. RCD Español - 30
12. Deportivo - 30
13. Malaga - 29 (Pr)
14. Murcia - 19 (Pr)
15. Alcoyano - 14 (R)
16. Lleida - 13 (R)

Top Scorer - Zarra (Athletic) - 38 goals in 27 games
Best GK - Acuña (Deportivo) - 36 goals in 26 games (1,26 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1 Sporting - 48 (P)
2. Zaragoza - 42 (Pr)
3. Sabadell - 38 (Pr)

Group South
1. Atlético Tetuán - 35 (P)
2. Salamanca - 32 (Pr)
3. Las Palmas - 31 (Pr)

Playoff
1. Las Palmas - 16 (P)
2. Zaragoza - 15 (P)
3. Malaga - 15 (R)
4. Murcia - 6 (R)
5. Sabadell - 5
6. Salamanca - 3

Atlético Tetuán, a team located in the North of Morocco, which was under the dominance of Spain, promoted to Primera.

Copa del Rey

Kubala made his debut in the Copa del Generalisimo in the semifinals against Athletic. Ladislao Kubala, who had been impressing in the friendly games he played during the season, was able to crush Athletic by himself. Athletic had ordered 25000 red and white neckties for their socios to wear it in the final... but Kubala spoiled their party.

The final was played in the Nuevo Chamartin. It was the first final for Barcelona in 9 years, facing Real Sociedad, who played the Copa final again against the Catalans, as it happened in 1913 and 1928. This time it was easier for the blaugranas and they gave no option to the realistas. The top scorer of Barcelona's history in Liga, César, scored the first goal in the 31'. Right before the half time, Gonzalvo III scored the 2nd (44'). Cesar "killed" the final again in the 67'. Barcelona beated Real Sociedad, 3-0, and won the 10th Copa, a title that they'd dominate through the decade.

Spanish teams in Europe

Atlético could just finish 3rd in the Copa Latina, the precedent of the European Cup, beating Sporting Lisbon (3-1).


1951-1952

La Liga

This edition of La Liga was a fight between the Barcelona of Kubala, César, Basora, Vila, Manchón (La Delantera Mitica, the Mythical Forwards) and Ramallets and the Athletic of Zarra, Panizo, Iriondo, Venancio and Gainza, "Los Mosqueteros" (The Musketeers). Barça won their 5th Liga, drawing with Athletic in titles. Kubala was impressive scoring 26 goals in 19 games, only surpassed by Real Madrid's Pahiño. Barcelona scored 92 goals, something that not even the Madrid of the 60s did. At the same time, it was the team with less goals received along with Valladolid.

This Barcelona got a nickname, the Barcelona of the "Cinc Copes" (Five Cups), for the victories in Liga, Copa, Copa Latina, Copa Eva Duarte Peron and Copa Marini & Rossi (a kind of European Supercup, that faced the winners of the Copa Latina and the Mitropa Cup).

Zarra's Athletic came in the 2nd position, although they fought for the title until the end. Finally, Real Madrid started to build a good team and they finished 3rd, followed closer by their rivals, Atlético.

Primera Division
1. FC Barcelona - 43
2. Athletic - 40
3. Real Madrid - 38
4. Atlético - 37
5. Valencia - 35
6. Sevilla - 32
7. Español - 32
8. Valladolid - 29
9. Celta - 27
10. Real Sociedad - 26
11. Deportivo - 25
12. Zaragoza - 25
13. Sporting - 25 (Pr)
14. Racing - 25 (Pr)
15. Las Palmas - 22 (R)
16. Atlético Tetuan - 19 (R)

Top scorer - Pahiño (Real Madrid) - 28 goals in 27 games
Best GK - Ramallets (FC Barcelona) - 40 goals in 28 games (1,42 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Oviedo - 39 (P)
2. Logroñes - 36 (Pr)
3. Racing Ferrol - 33 (Pr)

Group South
1. Malaga - 42 (P)
2. Mestalla (Valencia B) - 40 (Pr)
3. Alcoyano - 36 (Pr)

Play off
1. Mestalla (Valencia B) - 14*
2. Sporting - 13 (stayed in 1st Div)
3. Racing - 11 (stayed in 1st Div)
4. Alcoyano - 9
5. Logroñes - 8
6. Racing Ferrol - 5

* Mestalla didn't promote to Primera since they were the B team of Valencia.

Copa del Rey

Daucik's Barça won the 2nd Copa in a row, the 11th. The final was played in the Nuevo Chamartin. Real Madrid's home was the permanent venue at that time. 80,000 spectators saw one of the greatest Barcelona ever. Despite the power of the blaugranas, the valencianistas were a great rival. The Ché team, driven by Puchades on the field and Quincoces on the bench, scored the first goal in the 1st minute of the game. The surprise got bigger when Badenes scored the 2nd again in the 25'. Barcelona went to a full attack and Basora reduced the gap in the 38'. The Catalans could tie the game in the 70', thanks to Vila.

The game reached the extra time and the blaugrana team imposed their power soon. Kubala gave the advantage to Barcelona in the 96'. The great César closed the beating in the 118'. 4-2, Barcelona was the winner.

Cesar raised by his teammates

Spanish teams in Europe

For the 2nd time in 4 years, Barcelona won the Copa Latina in an edition played by Juvuntus, Nice and Sporting Lisbon. The blaugranas won the final 1-0 against Nice, in France. The barcelonistas went back in train and they received a great tribute, from Portbou to Barcelona. This was the best Barcelona ever until the Dream Team.

1952-1953

La Liga

6th Liga for FC Barcelona. Cesar, Kubala, Basora, Machón and Moreno, the forwards of Barça, were unbeatable again. The Catalans had built a fantastic team with Daucik, as coach. The Catalan club started to talk about a new stadium, since the demand to see Kubala, the star of La Liga, was huge. Barça had bought the lands in 1950 and, this year the project was approved. In any case, Kubala missed most of the games of the season since he suffered a tuberculosis.

In La Liga, Barcelona found a tough rival: Valencia. The valencianistas reinforced the team with players of Mestalla (Sendra, Mañó, Mangriñán and Sócrates), their B team. Still, the star of the team was Puchades, a great valencian midfielder. The valencianistas collapsed in the last month and the blagranas took the advantage to win.

Real Madrid cellebrated the 50th anniversary, but once again they couldn't win any title. Real Madrid was the club with the higher amount of socios back then, over Atlético and Barcelona.

Athletic also had a bad year, but Zarra was the "Pichichi". Marca officialized the top scorer award and they called it "Pichichi", as a tribute of the great striker of Athletic of the 10s and 20s.

Primera Division
1. FC Barcelona - 42
2. Valencia CF - 40
3. Real Madrid - 39
4. RCD Español - 36
5. Sevilla - 34
6. Athletic - 32
7. Sporting - 30
8. Atlético Madrid - 30
9. Oviedo - 29
10. Real Sociedad - 28
11. Racing - 27
12. Valladolid - 25
13. Celta - 23 (Pr)
14. Deportivo - 24 (Pr)
15. Malaga - 22 (R)
16. Zaragoza - 17 (R)

Pichichi - Zarra (Athletic) 24 goals in 29 games
Best GK - Domingo (Español) - 34 goals in 27 games (1,25 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Osasuna - 40 (P)
2. España Industrial (Barça B)- 37 (Pr)
3. Avilés - 37 (Pr)

Group South
1. Jaen - 41 (P)
2. Hercules - 38 (Pr)
3. Atl. Tetuan - 36

Play off
1. Deportivo - 11 (stayed in 1st Div)
2. España Industrial - 11*
3. Celta - 10 (stayed in 1st Div)
4. Atl. Tetuan - 10
5. Aviles - 9
6. Hercules - 9

*España Industrial couldn't promote since they were Barça B.

Copa del Rey

3rd Copa in a row for this unbeatable Barcelona. The blaugranas faced Athletic in the "Clásico" of the Copa. The 2 greatest forward lines of that time in Spain. Once again, the great Barcelona of Daucik beated the Basques in their favourite tournament. After a goal-less first half, Kubala scored the 1st for Barcelona in the 46'. Few minutes later, in the 56', Manchón decided the final. Athletic gave some emotion thanks to the goal by Venancio in the 61', but the Basques couldn't tie the game. The 2nd Double of the Catalans in 2 years.

Spanish teams in Europe

In a surprising decision, the FEF (Spanish FA) decided to send Valencia to the Copa Latina instead of Barcelona, who probably were the best team of Europe at that moment. The valencianistas miserably failed and finished 4th, trashed in the last game 4-1 by Sporting Lisbon.

1953-1954

La Liga

Turning point in La Liga's history. That summer, FC Barcelona signed the Argentinian super-star Alfredo Di Stéfano. Barcelona and River Plate (owner of his rights) signed a deal and FIFA approved the transfer to the Catalans. Few days later, Santiago Bernabeu also got a deal with Millonarios of Bogotá(Colombia), where the player was playing. Alfredo Di Stéfano had left River Plate to join Millonarios when the footballers of Argentina were doing a break. The Colombian league was a "pirate" league out of FIFA, so the legal rights of the player belong to River Plate.

Di Stefano was presented in Les Corts in Barcelona and started the pre-season with FC Barcelona, playing 3 friendly games. Meanwhile, Santiago Bernabeu denounced the transfer to the Spanish FA, which was under the control of the regime of Franco.

Surprisingly, against the regulations of FIFA, the FEF decided that Di Stéfano had to play 2 years in Barcelona and 2 years in Madrid consecutively. The scandal was huge, Barcelona protested and finally announced on October 23 that Real Madrid could have the player permanently. In the meantime, Di Stéfano had made his Madrid debut (on September 23). The reasons for FC Barcelona's decision to let the player go to Madrid are disputed by the two clubs. While Real Madrid have always maintained it was a voluntary decision by FC Barcelona, their rivals held that it was a decision made under pressure from Franco's fascist government. Take your own conclussions.

Alfredo Di Stéfano changed the history of La Liga and the history of Real Madrid. At the same time, 2 other important players joined their team: Paco Gento and Marcos. The coach of that team was the Uruguayan, ex-player and ex-coach of Barcelona, Enrique Fernandez. The madridistas made a fantastic season and beated Barcelona in the last weeks, taking profit of Kubala's injury. Di Stefano assured that he "had won his first Liga in Argentina being 17, but he had never felt such a deep emotion. I didn't win La Liga, it was the team".

Real Madrid won La Liga 21 years later. An historical event for the madridistas. It was also the year of the remodelation of the Bernabeu, building the 3rd ring. At the same time, Barcelona was allowed to have their first semi-democratic elections (only men could vote) and Miró-Sans won it.

Valencia completed a good season, once again driven by Quincoces from the bench, finishing in 3rd place, with the same points of Español.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 40
2. FC Barcelona - 36
3. Valencia CF - 34
4. Español - 34
5. Sevilla - 32
6. Athletic - 32
7. Deportivo - 31
8. Racing - 31
9. Real Sociedad - 29
10. Celta - 29
11. Atlético - 29
12. Valladolid - 29
13. Osasuna - 28 (Pr)
14. Jaen - 28 (Pr)
15. Oviedo - 22 (R)
16. Sporting 16 (R)

Pichichi - Di Stefano (Real Madrid) - 27 goals in 28 games
Best GK - Menendez (Atletico Madrid) - 24 goals in 22 games (1,09 goals/game)

Segunda
Group North
1. Alaves -41 (P)
2. Barakaldo - 38 (Pr)
3. Lleida - 38 (Pr)

Group South
1. Las Palmas - 39 (P)
2. Hercules - 38 (Pr)
3. Malaga - 38 (Pr)

Play off
1. Malaga - 15 (P)
2. Hercules - 13 (P)
3. Osasuna - 11 (R)
4. Barakaldo - 9
5. Lleida - 8
6. Jaen - 4 (R)

Copa del Rey

The final of the Nuevo Chamartin was the 4th in a row for Barcelona, big favourites, despite the huge missing of Kubala. The blaugrana star had broken his ligaments in a terrible tackle by the Athletic's defense Arieta, in the QFs. Barcelona got a substitute for the last games of the season, the young star of Deportivo, Luis Suárez.

Luis Suárez is the best player of the history in Spain. The only Spanish to win the Ballon D'Or. Luis Suarez triumphed in Barcelona first and, later, in Inter Milan, where he was European champion.

Despite all this, Luis Suarez wasn't enough to win the final and, actually, Valencia crushed the blaugranas. It was the last game of Jacinto Quincoces in Valencia. The tribute was a 3-0, with 2 goals by Fuente (35' and 60') and another one by Badenes (57'). 3rd Copa for Valencia CF and the great president Luis Casanova won another trophy.

One of the goals that day

Spanish teams in Europe

There were no European competitions that year.

1954/1955

La Liga

Real Madrid had built a great team the previos season and they kept the same squad and they added Rial, Di Stéfano's friend, an Argentinian forward to replace Molowny, who was in decline. The madridistas took the first place in the 10th week and they didn't leave it until the end of the season, winning La Liga one week before the end. This Real Madrid beated a record: 46 points.

Besides, the madridistas got qualified for the first edition of the European Cup. At the same time, also Barcelona was chosen to play in the newly created Fairs Cup, the precedent of the current UEFA Cup.

Kubala had a dark year in Barcelona. Although he reappeared, the consequences of his injury were evident. Besides, he gets injured in the last 7 games of the year and Barcelona couldn't pressure Madrid in the last games of the year. Daucik had been replaced by the Italian coach Sandro Puppo.

In Bilbao, Athletic had built a new team that started to give results. They finished 3rd that season after some years of failures. Besides, they won the Copa at the end of the season.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 46 (EC)
2. FC Barcelona - 41 (FC)
3. Athletic - 39
4. Sevilla - 34
5. Valencia - 33
6. Hercules - 31
7. Deportivo - 30
8. Atlético - 29
9. Valladolid - 27
10. Alaves - 27
11. Celta - 27
12. Las Palmas - 27
13. Español - 26 (Pr)
14. Real Sociedad - 24 (Pr)
15. Racing - 20 (R)
16. Malaga - 19 (R)

Pichichi: Arza (Sevilla) - 24 goals in 30 games
Best GK: Alonso (Real Madrid) - 24 goals in 24 games (1 goal/game)
(EC - European Cup; FC - Fairs Cup)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Cultural Leonesa - 40 (P)
2. Oviedo - 39 (Pr)
3. Zaragoza - 39 (Pr)

Group South
1. Murcia - 40 (P)
2. Atl. Tetuan - 39 (Pr)
3. Granada - 38 (Pr)

Playoff
1. Español - 15
2. Real Sociedad - 13
3. Oviedo - 10
4. Atl. Tetuan - 10
5. Zaragoza - 6
6. Granada - 5

Copa del Rey

Fernando Daucik, who had built the big Barça of the first part of the decade, led the "new" Athletic to win the title again. 5 years the Basques had to wait to recover their favourite trophy, the 19th Copa. The rival was Sevilla, also driven by another myth, Helenio Herrera. Uribe scored the goal of the victory in the 70' and the veteran Gainza, the only remaining forward of that glorious line, raised the Cup in the already called Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Spanish teams in Europe

In the early 1950s, football played under floodlights was still a novelty. The summer of 1953 saw the first set of lights installed at the Molineux stadium of Wolverhampton Wanderers, which were first tested in a friendly game against a South African XI. Over the next months, Wolves played a series of "floodlit friendlies" against foreign opposition. Beginning with Racing Club of Argentina, they also played Spartak Moscow of the USSR, before meeting Honved of Hungary in a game televised live on the BBC. The Honved team included many of the "Magical Magyars" team who had humbled England twice. Wolves won the game 3-2, which led their manager Stan Cullis to proclaim them as "Champions of the World", in spite of Honved's defeat to Red Star Belgrade (then lying seventh in their domestic league) days earlier. This was the final spur for Gabriel Hanot, the editor of L'Équipe, who had long campaigned for a Europe wide club tournament to be played under floodlights.

"Before we declare that Wolverhampton are invincible, let them go to Moscow and Budapest. And there are other internationally renowned clubs: A.C. Milan and Real Madrid to name but two. A club world championship, or at least a European one - larger, more meaningful and more prestigious than the Mitropa Cup and more original than a competition for national teams - should be launched." - Gabriel Hanot

The UEFA congress of March 1955 saw the proposal raised, with approval given in April of that year, and the kick-off of the first European Cup the following season.

Real Madrid participated in a new edition of the Copa Latina and won it for the first time. They beated the final against Stade Reims, what was going to be the first European Cup final too.

The first competition of the Fairs Cup was to be held over two seasons to avoid clashes with national leagues fixtures. However because it was also intended to coincide with trade fairs it ran over into a third year. It began in 1955 and eventually finished in 1958. Cities that entered teams included Basle, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Vienna, Cologne, Lausanne, Leipzig, London, Milan and Zagreb. The first competition included a group stage and also featured some city representative teams instead of clubs

1955-1956

Daucik demonstrated that he was one of the greatest coaches in La Liga history and he won La Liga for Athletic 13 years later. The Basques had been the most successful team in Spain until this decade, but they started to suffer, competing with the economic power of the big clubs of Spain and the arrival the foreign super-stars. This triumph was a victory of the romantic football. There was life beyond Zarra.

The main rival was Barcelona, driven by the ex-goalie of the team, Plattko. In any case, the attacking power of Athletic was better than the great defense of Barcelona. Kubala, Luis Suárez and company couldn't win La Liga again for Barcelona.

Real Madrid disappointed in Liga that year. The team that seemed unbeatable in La Liga in the previous 2 season failed and wasn't competitive at all, focusing all the efforts in the first edition of the European Cup. Despite all this, Alfredo Di Stéfano was 2nd in the Ballon D'Or award, given to the English player Stanley Matthews.

Primera Division
1. Athletic Club - 48 (EC)
2. FC Barcelona - 47
3. Real Madrid - 38 (EC)
4. Sevilla - 36
5. Atlético - 33
6. Valencia - 32
7. Español - 31
8. Real Sociedad - 30
9. Valladolid - 30
10. Celta - 27
11. Las Palmas - 26
12. Deportivo - 26
13. Murcia - 25 (Pr)
14. Alaves - 24 (Pr)
15. Cultural Leonesa - 14
16. Hercules - 13

Pichichi - Di Stefano (Real Madrid) - 24 goals in 30 games
Best GK - Ramallets (Barcelona) - 24 goals in 29 games (0,84 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Osasuna - 42 (P)
2. Oviedo - 41 (Pr)
3. Zaragoza - 40 (Pr)

Group South
1. Jaen - 42 (P)
2. Betis - 36 (Pr)
3. España Industrial - 36 (Pr)

Play off
1. España Industrial (Condal) - 15 (P)
2. Zaragoza - 12 (P)
3. Oviedo - 12
4. Murcia - 11 (R)
5. Betis - 6
6. Alaves - 4 (R)

Copa del Rey

Double for Athletic. Daucik completed the perfect season for Athletic. The Bernabeu was remodelated and there were 120,000 people in the stadium, a historical record. The rival played at "home", Atlético Madrid. Fuentes scored for Atlético in the 25', but 12 minutes later Artetxe tied for Athletic. In the 2nd half, in the 70', Uribe scored the goal of the victory for "los leones". It was the 20th Copa for Athletic, who had almost won the 50% of the editions of this tournament.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

First European Cup for Real Madrid. The madridistas, driven by the great Alfredo Di Stéfano, amazed all Europe with their great football. Their year was perfect, the first victim was Servette, who were crushed 7-0.

The next rival was Partizan Belgrade, who also got a beating in the Bernabeu losing 4-0, although they 2nd game was a hell for Madrid, who lost 3-0 there.

In the semifinals, Madrid faced Milan, which would become a classic in Europe later. The milanisti won 4-3 in San Siro, but Madrid overcame the eliminatory, winning 4-2 in the Bernabeu with a late goal by Di Stéfano.

The final was between 2 old friends: Madrid and Stade Reims. The game was crazy and the French got a 0-2 advantage. The madridistas overcame the result 3-2. The French tied the game again and Rial finally decided the final with his goal. Madrid was the first European champion.

1st European Cup for Real Madrid

Fairs Cup

The first edition of the Fairs Cup started that year, but it was a tournament that lasted 3 years. It was meant to be played by selections of the cities, but the city of Barcelona was represented by the players of FC Barcelona. The first victim in the way to the final was Copenhaguen.

Latin Cup

Athletic participated in this tournament, which started to lose value. They lost in the final against AC Milan, 3-1.

1956-1957

La Liga

Real Madrid won the 3rd Liga in 4 years. Once again, Di Stéfano was the great star of La Liga. The European winners had no rival in La Liga and they won the title some weeks before the end. Di Stéfano accumulated personal awards: he achieved the Pichichi trophy again and the magazine France Football chose him as the best player of Europe. Without a doubt, Alfredo Di Stéfano was the first big king of football and the best player of the world at that moment.

VIDEO: Alfredo Di Stéfano in action (among other images)

Besides, Santiago Bernabeu had added the French star of Stade Reims Raymond Kopa, who had finished 3rd in the Ballon D'Or award. Madrid had 2 of the best players of the world.

Real Madrid had built a great squad and that year they won almost everything.

Sevilla and Barcelona could only fight for the 2nd place. They faced in Les Corts in the last day of the competition and Barça could just tie with the sevillistas, who earned the right to play in the European Cup, along with Madrid.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 44 (EC)
2. Sevilla - 39 (EC)
3. FC Barcelona - 39
4. Athletic - 37
5. Atlético - 35
6. Osasuna - 31
7. Español - 30
8. Valladolid - 28
9. Zaragoza - 28
10. Las Palmas - 27
11. Valencia - 27
12. Real Sociedad - 26
13. Celta - 23
14. Jaen - 23
15. Deportivo - 22 (R)
16. Condal - 22 (R)

Pichichi - Di Stefano (Real Madrid) - 31 goals in 30 games
Best GK - Ramallets (Barcelona) - 35 goals in 29 games (1,2 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Sporting - 62 (P)
2. Sabadell - 54
3. Induatxu - 48

Group South
1. Granada - 47 (P)
2. Hercules - 45
3. Murcia - 43

Copa del Rey

4 years again, FC Barcelona won the Copa again. It was in Barcelona, Barça and Español faced each other in a neutral ground: Montjuïc. It was a tense game between 2 historical rivals. Barcelona was the favourite and they didn't fail. Sampedro scored in the 79' and gave the title to the blaugranas, the 14th Copa.

Spanish teams in the Europe

European Cup

Real Madrid, as previous champions, and Athletic, as current Liga winners, represented Spain in the European Cup.

Athletic had a good run in Europe beating Porto in the previous round and one of the biggest teams in Eastern Europe, Honved, in the first round. In the QFs, Athletic faced Manchester United. The Basques won 5-3 in San Mamés, but Old Trafford was too much for them, and they lost 3-0.

Real Madrid also won the 2nd edition in a fantastic way. Madrid suffered against Rapid Wien to pass the first round, losing in Austria. In the QFs, Real Madrid had no problems to pass over the French winners, Nice. In the semifinals, the madridistas met the English champions Manchester United, Madrid won 3-1 in the Bernabeu and tied in the mythical Old Trafford.

The final was held in the Bernabeu. Real Madrid played at home and didn't fail. The madridistas won 2-0 against the Italians Fiorentina. Madrid won the 2nd edition too and was the best team of the world.

2nd European Cup for Real Madrid

Fairs Cup

Barcelona kept advancing in Europe and the final was played in 1958.

Latin Cup

Real Madrid won the last edition of this tournament, beating Benfica in the final, also played in Madrid.

1957-1958

La Liga

The Argentinian Luis Carniglia was the new coach of Real Madrid, but things didn't change much and the merengues won their 6th Liga. Di Stéfano's team had a harder season this time, but Barcelona wasn't the rival, it was Atlético Madrid.

The season was a total fight between the 2 teams of the capital. The madridistas were the great favourites to repeat the title, but the altético Joaquín Peiró drove his team perfectly until the last day.

With 2 games to go, Real Madrid had to visit the Metropolitano, Atlético's home. The madridistas had 3 points of advantage and Atlético needed to win to give some life to La Liga. Hollaus scored for the colchoneros and the fans got crazy, but 15 mins before the end, Rial made a great shot that was worth a title. Real Madrid tied with Barça and Athletic: 6 Ligas.

At the same time, Barcelona finally showed to the world what was going to be the biggest stadium of Europe: L'Estadi del FC Barcelona, popularly known as Camp Nou (New camp).

The barcelonistas had signed the Brazilian Evaristo, who was going to be essential in future triumphs for the Catalans. At the end of the season, they signed the great coach Helenio Herrera to change the trend.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 45 (EC)
2. Atlético - 42 (EC)
3. Barcelona - 38 (FC)
4. Valencia - 36
5. Osasuna - 35
6. Athletic - 32
7. Celta - 32
8. Español - 28
9. Real Sociedad - 27
10. Sevilla - 25
11. Las Palmas - 25
12. Sporting - 24
13. Granada - 24
14. Zaragoza - 24
15. Valladolid - 23 (R)
16. Jaen - 20 (R)

Pichichi - Badenes (Valladolid), Di Stefano (Real Madrid), Ricardo (Valencia) - 19 goals in 29/30/29 games
Best GK - Goyo (Valencia) - 28 goals in 28 games (1 goal/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Oviedo - 50 (P)
2. Sabadell - 50
3. Racing - 40

Group South
1. Betis - 42 (P)
2. Tenerife - 38
3. Murcia - 38

Copa del Rey

The madridistas played at home the final against Athletic to recover a title that they didn't win in more than a decade... but "los leones" surprised the European winners and the club trained by Baltasar Albéniz put the full Bernabeu in silence. Athletic won the 21st Copa title of their history, a tremendous record, thanks to the goals by Arieta (20') and Mauri (23').

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Real Madrid and Sevilla were the ones who represented Spain in the European Cup. The sevillistas reached the QFs, beating Benfica and AGF in their way, but they met Real Madrid, who had beaten Antwerp in the first round. The madridistas crushed Sevilla 8-0 in Madrid and the 2nd leg had no story. Madrid continued the great run in the semis, beating Vasas. The final was against Milan.

The final at Brussels' Heysel stadium was a meeting of Europe's heavyweights. Where the Merengues had strengthened with the signing of Stade de Reims Champagne striker Raymond Kopa, the Rossoneri could call on South Americans Juan Schiaffino and José Altafini. In the event, the key man was Alfredo di Stéfano. He scored one of two Madrid equalisers before Paco Gento settled the match in the Spanish side's favour, at 3-2, in the second period of extra time. It was the 3rd for Real Madrid.

3rd European Cup for R. Madrid

Di Stéfano achieved his first Ballon D'Or in 1957 and Raymond Kopa was the 3rd.

Fairs Cup

The eventual finalists were Barcelona and a London XI . While the latter side consisted of players from eleven different clubs, the former was effectively FC Barcelona. After a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, Barcelona emerged triumphant after winning the return 6-0.

The first game was in London, the barcelonistas scored the first in the 4' by Tejada, but Greaves tied one minute later. Martinez advanced the Catalans again in the 35'. 7 minutes before the end, Langley tied the game again in a penalty.

The game in the Camp Nou was a military walk for the Catalans, who crushed the English squad. The great Luis Suarez scored 2 goals in the begining of the game (6', 8') and Martinez finished with the final in the 43'. The 2nd half was a party: Evaristo in the 52', Verges in the 63' and again Evaristo in the 75' closed a historical beating, giving the first European title to Barcelona and proving that the Spanish football was the best football in Europe.

1958-1959

La Liga

Helenio Herrera's Barça was finally able to stop the madridistas. The Catalans got reinforced by 2 great players of Eastern Europe: the Hungarians Sandor Kocsis and Zlotan Czibor.

Driven by the great Laszo Kubala, the Catalans roller over all the rivals, including Di Stéfano's Madrid, and won the title with an impressive record: 96 goals in 30 games.

VIDEO: Kubala

In Real Madrid, Miguel Muñoz leave the team and the great Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás signs for the madridistas, although it wasn't enough to win La Liga.

VIDEO: Ferenc Puskas

The difference over the rest of the teams was huge and Spain started to have two poles in the two big clubs in an increasing rivalry.

Primera Division
1. FC Barcelona - 51 (EC)
2. Real Madrid - 47 (EC)
3. Athletic - 36
4. Valencia - 33
5. Atlético - 32
6. Betis - 32
7. Español - 29
8. Osasuna - 28
9. Zaragoza - 28
10. Real Sociedad - 28
11. Oviedo - 27
12. Sevilla - 26
13. Granada - 26 (Pr)
14. Las Palmas - 24 (Pr)
15. Sporting - 20 (R)
16. Celta - 13 (R)

Pichichi - Di Stéfano (Real Madrid) 23 goals in 30 games
Zamora* - Ramallets (Barcelona) 24 goals in 27 games (0,78 goals/game)

Segunda Division
North Group
1. Valladolid - 40 (P)
2. Sabadell - 39 (Pr)
3. Indautxu - 35

South Group
1. Elche - 40 (P)
2. Levante - 37 (Pr)
3. Almeria - 32

Play off
Granada - Sabadell (5-0, 1-1)
Levante - Las Palmas (1-2, 1-2)

Copa del Rey

In June, Barcelona completed the Double, beating a humble team of Primera, Granada, who reached the final for the first time. The Bernabeu saw a great Barcelona, with Luis Suarez and Tejada as main stars, covering the absence of Kubala. Eulogio Martinez advanced the blaugranas in the 2', Kocsis decided in the 10'. Arsenio gave some hopes to the granadinos in the 56', but Tejada finished with them in the 67' and Kocsis again closed the beating 3 minutes later. Segarra raised the trophy in Madrid.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Atlético and Madrid were the representants of Spain in the tournament. The rojiblancos crushed Dublin City in the previous round (8-0,1-5). They had more problems to beat CSKA Sofia, winning in the replay. In the QFs, Atlético beated Schalke in the Metropolitano, winning 3-0, and they tied in Germany.

Real Madrid continued with their glorious run. They played directly in the QFs, where they crushed Wien in the Bernabeu, 7-1. But the fate made Atlético and Real Madrid meet in the semifinals. Madrid won 2-1 in the Bernabeu and Atlético won 1-0 in the Metropolitano. Puskas decided the play off to make Madrid advance against their eternal rivals.

Spanish expectations were met in the final as Enrique Mateos and Alfredo di Stéfano gave Madrid - hamstrung by the absence of Puskás and an early injury to Raymond Kopa - a routine 2-0 victory.

Raymond Kopa achieved the Golden Ball that year 1958.

4th European Cup for Madrid

Fairs Cup

Barcelona also started to play the 2nd edition of the Fairs Cup.

1959-1960

La Liga

Helenio Herrera made Barcelona the champion again this season. The team was based on a solid defense, which showed to be more efficient than Real Madrid... although La Liga was the most tight in history. Both teams tied in points after 30 games. Barcelona won 3-1 in Les Corts and Real Madrid won 2-0 in Barcelona. La Liga was decided in the general goal average, Barcelona had +58 and Real Madrid +56... 2 goals separeted Madrid from the title.

With Kubala injured most of the season, the team was driven by Suarez on the pitch, who was also backed by great players like Ramallets, Gensana, Segarra, Evaristo or Eulogio Martinez.

Noone expected that Barcelona was going to start the darkest time of its history.

Primera Division
1. Barcelona - 46 (EC)(FC)
2. Real Madrid - 46 (EC)
3. Athletic - 39
4. Sevilla - 36
5. Atlético - 33
6. Oviedo - 33
7. Betis - 33
8. Español - 30
9. Valencia - 28
10. Elche - 27
11. Zaragoza - 25
12. Granada - 25
13. Valladolid - 25 (Pr)
14. Real Sociedad - 23 (Pr)
15. Osasuna - 18 (R)
16. Las Palmas - 13 (R)

Pichichi - Puskas (Real Madrid) - 26 goals in 24 games
Zamora - Ramallets (Barcelona) - 24 goals in 27 games (0,88 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Racing - 42 (P)
2. Celta - 40 (Pr)
3. Ourense - 38

Group South
1. Mallorca - 40 (P)
2. Cordoba - 39 (Pr)
3. Jaen - 37

Playoff
Celta - Valladolid (2-2, 0-5)
Real Sociedad - Cordoba (2-1, 0-1, 1-0)

Copa del Rey

The Bernabeu saw the first madrileño derby in a Copa final. Real Madrid were the big favourites in a full Bernabeu and Puskas advanced the madridistas in the 20'. But Atlético's reaction was spectacular and they crushed the madridistas in the 2nd half thanks to Collar (52'), Jones (76') and Peiró (86'). Peiró was the man of the game, doing a great game for the atléticos. It was the first Copa for them.

Collar and Peiró formed the so-called "Infernal Wing"
Collar

Peiro

Joaquin Peiró was one of the best players in Atlético's history and he stayed there until 1962, when he was sold to Torino. He also played in Inter and Roma, he also triumphed in Italy.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Barcelona and Madrid met in this competition for the first time ever. The barcelonistas did a great season in Europe. Their first victim was CSKA Sofia (2-2, 6-2) in the previous round. In the first round, Barcelona met one of the best teams of Europe and they amazed Italy with the 0-2 in San Siro and the 5-1 in the Camp Nou. In the same round, Real Madrid rolled over Jaunesse Esch (7-0, 2-5).

In the QFs, Barcelona also crushed the English champions, beating Wolves 4-0 in Barcelona and 2-5 in England. Madrid had more problems to beat Nice, since they lost 3-2 in France, although the Bernabeu made the difference with a 4-0.

In the semis, the 2 Spanish teams met. Real Madrid won 3-1 in the Bernabeu, keeping the 100% home record, with 2 goals by Di Stéfano and one by Puskas. In the Camp Nou, Real Madrid imposed their power in Europe, winning 1-3 too. The result was so disappointing that Miró-Sans got mad and fired Helenio Herrera despite the domestic success, a decision that proved him wrong in the following years. Despite the defeat, Barcelona's run was amazing and Europe recognized it, giving the Golden Ball to Luis Suarez the following year.

The final was in Glasgow, in front of 127,000 people. Hampden Park saw the best European Cup final ever and the madridistas crushed 7-3 the German Eintrach Frankfurt. Real Madrid won the 5th European Cup in a row, Di Stéfano, Kopa, Puskas, Gento and company had made history in their club and in Europe.

The 5th European Cup of Real Madrid

Fairs Cup

Barcelona won their 2nd European title. This time the victim was another English team: Birmingham. Barcelona could just draw on the muddy pitch of St. Andrews, but the 70,000 fans that filled the Camp Nou carried Barcelona to the 2nd European title. Eulogio Martinez scored the first in the 3', and just 3 minutes later Czibor scored the 2nd. In the 2nd half, once again Czibor scored (68') and became the man of the final. Coll scored the last Catalan goal in the 78'. Hooper scored the only goal of the British team 7 minutes from the end.
Summary of the decade

La Liga
1951 - Atlético Madrid
1952 - FC Barcelona
1953 - FC Barcelona
1954 - Real Madrid
1955 - Real Madrid
1956 - Athletic Club
1957 - Real Madrid
1958 - Real Madrid
1959 - FC Barcelona
1960 - FC Barcelona

8 - FC Barcelona
6 - Real Madrid, Athletic Club
4 - Atlético Madrid
3 - Valencia CF
1 - Real Betis, Sevilla FC

Copa
1951 - FC Barcelona 3-0 Real Sociedad
1952 - FC Barcelona 4-2 Valencia CF
1953 - FC Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Club
1954 - Valencia CF 3-0 FC Barcelona
1955 - Athletic Club 1-0 Sevilla FC
1956 - Athletic Club 2-1 Atlético Madrid
1957 - FC Barcelona 1-0 RCD Español
1958 - Athletic Club 2-0 Real Madrid
1959 - FC Barcelona 4-1 Granada
1960 - Atlético Madrid 3-1 Real Madrid

21 - Athletic Club
14 - FC Barcelona
9 - Real Madrid
4 - Real Union Irun
3 - Sevilla FC, Valencia CF
2 - RCD Español
1 - Real Sociedad, Arenas Getxo, Atlético Madrid

European Cup
1956 - Real Madrid
1957 - Real Madrid
1958 - Real Madrid
1959 - Real Madrid
1960 - Real Madrid

Fairs Cup
1958 - FC Barcelona
1960 - FC Barcelona

 

This Barcelona got a nickname, the Barcelona of the "Cinc Copes" (Five Cups), for the victories in Liga, Copa, Copa Latina, Copa Eva Duarte Peron and Copa Marini & Rossi (a kind of European Supercup, that faced the winners of the Copa Latina and the Mitropa Cup).

This what Dutch wikipedia said.

But according to Spanish, and French wikipedia:

The name Copa Martini & Rossi produced a series of football matches friendly character he played for FC Barcelona against leading European teams during the 1940 and 1950, whose winner received a silver cup bearing the name of their sponsor, the Martini Italian beverage company Rossi.

The meetings took place at the stadium of Les Corts Barcelona, usually as part of closing the season with that honor the players who retired or coinciding with the Christmas holidays.

It is the ancestor of today's Joan Gamper Trophy.

This title should not be mistaken with the Trophy Martini & Rossi, winner of this trading firm gave, in the years 40 and 50, the team of the Spanish first division to achieve a greater goal difference, and FC Barcelona won six times .

Between 1948 - 1953, Mitropa Cup was only played once in 1951, and the winner was SK Rapid Wien, and they didn't play Copa Martini & Rossi (beside, there was no Copa Martini & Rossi match in 1951).

 

1960s: "Yé-Yé" Madrid's domination; the great crisis of Barcelona; and the European triumphs of Valencia, Zaragoza and Atlético

1960-1961

La Liga

La Liga had never seen a team like this. Real Madrid won the title 12 points (!!) over the 2nd, Atlético Madrid. The 5 times European champions had no rival in Spain. Di Stéfano, Puskas, Gento, Del Sol, Rial,... They scored 89 goals and just received 25, just losing 2 games in the whole season. Puskas was the Pichichi and the year was a military walk for Real Madrid.

Barcelona enters in a big crisis. They finished 20 points under Real Madrid and they had 2 coaches during the season. Besides, Ladislao Kubala and Ramallets retired. Luis Suárez was sold to Inter Milan, after winning the Ballon D'Or with Barcelona, the only Spanish player ever to achieve it. Tejada and Czibor left Barcelona too. It was the end of an era and an extraordinary team... still, they were able to be the first team to stop Di Stefano's team in Europe.

Luis Suarez, Ballon D'Or 1960

Ramallets

Atlético came in 3rd position and showed that they'd be one of the new powers of the decade.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 52 (EC)
2. Atlético - 40 (CWC)
3. Zaragoza - 33
4. Barcelona - 32 (FC)
5. Valencia - 32 (FC)
6. Athletic - 30
7. Real Sociedad - 30
8. Betis - 30
9. Mallorca - 28
10. Español - 27 (FC)
11. Sevilla - 27
12. Racing - 26
13. Oviedo - 26 (Pr)
14. Elche - 25 (Pr)
15. Valladolid - 25 (R)
16. Granada - 17 (R)

Pichichi -Puskas (Real Madrid) - 27 goals in 28 games
Zamora - Vicente (Real Madrid) - 25 goals in 30 games (0,83 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Osasuna 46 (P)
2. Celta 40 (Pr)
3. Deportivo 36

Group South
1. Tenerife 40 (P)
2. Celta 38 (Pr)
3. Hercules 36

Playoffs
Oviedo - Celta (1-0, 2-2)
Ceuta - Elche (1-0, 0-4)

Copa del Rey

This final was the "replay" of the previous edition and the super-Real Madrid wanted revenge... but Atlético surprised the madridistas again in the Bernabeu. Madrid started going for the game and "cañoncito" Puskas scored the first in the 9', but Joaquín Peiró once again carried the team on his back and he tied in the 21'. The game was tied in the first half, but once again Peiró unballanced the game scoring in the 47'. Some minutes later, with Madrid attacking, Atlético scored the 3rd by Mendoza in the 69'. Di Stéfano, the best player of Madrid that night, reduced the gap in the 81', but it wasn't enough and Atlético won their 2nd Copa, again against the big rival.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Once again Real Madrid and Barcelona represented Spain in the European Cup. Barça was the first to make their debut in the competition and they beated Lierse without any problem (3-0,0-2). But the First round's draw gave a surprise: Barcelona and Real Madrid had to repeat the semifinals of the previous season.

This time the madridistas were the big and only favourites, considering their opposite form in La Liga. The new Golden Ball Luis Suarez surprised the Bernabeu with his two goals and Barcelona tied 2-2 in the Bernabeu. The 2nd game in the Camp Nou was a matter of pride and the barcelonistas were the first team to kick Real Madrid out of Europe, a tragedy in the capital, where noone expected this against the worst Barcelona in years. In any case, the game was polemic and the madridistas complained about the performance of the referee.

Barcelona continued in Europe, more open than ever with the absence of Madrid, and they beated Hradec Kralove (4-0, 1-1). In the semifinals, Barcelona got rid off the German champions, Hamburg, although they had to play a replay due to the 2-1's in both games.

The final was played in Basel between SL Benfica and FC Barcelona. "The final of the posts" was called in Barcelona. The benfiquistas won the game 3-2, in a bad night of the best goalkeeper in Spain since Zamora, Ramallets, but especially recalled for the square posts. Barcelona shot 4 times on the posts, but their form didn't allow the ball to go in. Eusebio's Benfica were the champions and Barcelona started their curse in the European Cup finals. UEFA proposed to change the posts from square to round, considering what had happened that day.

The goals of Benfica

Fairs Cup

Barcelona also played the Fairs Cup that year, but the twice winners felt this time in the QFs against the Scottish team Hibernian.

Intercontinental Cup

In 1960, Real Madrid played the first Intercontinental Cup, against the Copa Libertadores winners, the Uruguayan team Peñarol. The madridistas tied in Montevideo 0-0, but the madristas became the best team of the world when they crushed 5-1 their rivals in the Bernabeu. The final was decided in 10 minutes, with 3 goals by the madridistas.

Madrid, Interconitinental Cup winners

1961-1962

La Liga

8th Liga title for Real Madrid, who tied with Barcelona in the historical standings. Real Madrid still made the difference and their squad had no rival in Spain. But there were some changes, until this season, the team was led by Alfredo Di Stéfano, but the Argentinian started to decline for the first time ever and it was normal since he was 35 years old. This time it was mainly Puskas who led the team in La Liga.

Barcelona were the main rival of the madridistas, but they were in a total state of paranoia. Constant changes in the presidency and in the technical staff. This season started with Lluís Miró as the coach and finished with Laszy Kubala. The changes didn't benefit the team, who failed in La Liga once more.

There was a team that the previous season started to show signals of great improvement, Real Zaragoza, and their "Five Magnificent", who were going to make history in the early future.

At the same time, it was the year of the relegation of one of the historical clubs of Spain: RCD Español. After several years "flirting" with relegation, the "periquitos" had to play the play-off and Valladolid sent them to Segunda for the first time ever. A tragedy in Sarrià.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 43 (EC)
2. FC Barcelona - 40 (FC)
3. Atlético Madrid - 36 (CWC)
4. Zaragoza - 35 (FC)
5. Athletic - 32
6. Sevilla - 31 (CWC)
7. Valencia - 31 (FC)
8. Elche - 29
9. Betis - 28
10. Oviedo - 27
11. Mallorca - 27
12. Osasuna - 27
13. Español - 26 (Pr)
14. Racing - 26 (Pr)
15. Real Sociedad - 23 (R)
16. Tenerife - 19 (R)

Pichichi - Seminario (Zaragoza) - 25 goals in 30 games
Zamora - Araquistain (Real Madrid9 - 19 goals in 25 games (0,76 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Deportivo - 43 (P)
2. Valladolid - 40 (Pr)
3. Ourense - 37

Group South
1. Cordoba - 40 (P)
2. Malaga - 38 (Pr)
3. Granada - 36

Playoff
Español - Valladolid (1-0, 0-2)
Malaga - Racing (3-0, 1-0)

Copa del Rey

3rd consecutive final for Real Madrid in Copa and, finally, the madridistas broke the curse. Even though Madrid had had a great team in the last decade, they were unable to win this title since 1947. A title that had much more value back then. In any case, Madrid had to suffer to raise the Copa. Their rival was Sevilla, who fought until the last minute. In fact, the sevillistas scored at the begining of the 2nd half (47'). The goal was scored by Dieguez, the best player of Sevilla that night. The Bernabeu smelled the drama once again. But the madridistas reacted and Puskas tied the game in the 76'.

The sevillistas didn't give up and all the reviews of the game say that they were the better team that day, but Araquistain, Real Madrid's goalie was the hero of the final. He stopped a penalty in the 81'. Finally, the attacking power of the madridistas made the difference and Puskas scored the 2nd in the injury time. Madrid was the champion.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Real Madrid started the year willing to show that they were the best team of Europe. Despite the 5 Cups, the elimination the previous year was a big blow, since it had been Barça... and a bad Barça. The first victim of the madridistas was Vasas and Madrid won the 2 games (0-2, 3-1). Also, the first round was an easy walk and Madrid crushed B1913 (0-3, 9-0).

The QFs faced the great Italian winners, Sivori's Juventus, against Di Stéfano's Madrid. The eliminatory had to be something spectacular. Di Stéfano had been the best player on Earth of the last years. Omar Sivori, an italo-argentinian who had triumphed in River Plate too, had carried Juventus to the "scudetto" and he was the Ballon D'Or 1961 (Luis Suarez finished 2nd).

The madridistas won 0-1 in Turin and they imposed their European prestige... but Juve replied with a 0-1 in Madrid. Juve was the first team ever to win in the Bernabeu in Europe. A play-off was played in Paris and this time the madridistas won 3-1 and advanced to the semis.

Madrid got Standard Liege in the semis. After the big game of the QFs, this eliminatory was easy and they won both games (4-0, 0-2).

And in the final Amsterdam saw the greatest game that you could see in Europe at that moment: SL Benfica vs Real Madrid. The befiquistas were the holders of the title and the madridistas had won the 5 first editions.

The madridistas started the game imposing their law, they were the big favourites despite Benfica were the current champions.In this form - with Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás and Luis Del Sol at their peak - the Merengues represented a major challenge to a Benfica side many had thought lucky to beat FC Barcelona the previous season. So it proved as a Puskás hat-trick gave Madrid a 3-2 interval lead in the final. Yet the Lisbon team rallied, levelling through Mario Coluna before the rising star, Eusébio, settled the match with two cannonball strikes.

SL Benfica 5-3 Real Madrid

Cup Winners Cup

Atlético represented Spain for the first time in this tournament. Spain had not sent any team for the first edition, won by Fiorentina.

The rojiblancos won the first round against the French team Sedan without much problems, winning both games (2-3, 4-1). In the 2nd round, they had to face the FA Cup winners, Leicester. The atléticos tied in England 1-1 to solve in the Metropolitano 2-0.

In the QFs, they met Werder Bremen. Once again, Atlético did a good game and tied in Germany 1-1, making the difference at home, 3-1. In the semifinals, the Spanish club destoyed Jena, winning 0-1 away and 4-0 in Madrid.

The final was played in Hampden Park in Glasgow. The Copa winners Atlético had to face Fiorentina, the holders of the title. The final finished 1-1. Joaquin Peiró, the star of Atlético back then advanced the rojiblancos in the 11' and Hamrin tied in the 25'. It was necessary to play a replay in Sttugart, 4 months later. That day Atlético didn't have a rival and the colchoneros crushed the Italians, keeping the supremacy of the Spanish football in Europe: 3-0. Jones 6', Mendoza 27' and Peiró 56' finished with one of the best Fiorentina's ever.

Fairs Cup

This edition of the Fairs Cup had 3 teams from Spain: Valencia, Barcelona and Español.

Español, who had an awful season at the end, going down to Segunda Division, didn't have a good season in Europe either. Despite the passed the first round, they felt against Red Star Belgrade in the 2nd round.

On the other hand, Barcelona and Valencia did great and they passed all the eliminatories to meet in the 4th final of the Fairs Cup. It was also the 3rd final of Barcelona in this tournament and the 4th final in a row in Europe for them. It was also the first final between 2 Spanish teams in Europe.

Valencia had signed the Brazilian Waldo, who was going to give many nights of glory to Mestalla, eventually becoming one of the top scorers in Valencia's history. His perfect partner in attack was Vicente Guillot. Barcelona's coach was Kubala, but the team was in decline. The stars of the past were in decadence, retired or had been sold, like Luis Suárez, who was sold to Inter Milan to pay the Camp Nou, due to the bad economic situation of the club.

The first leg of the final was played in Mestalla, in a hot night. The goalkeepers were awful that day and Valencia won the game 6-2, in front of 65000 people that filled Mestalla. The last star of Barcelona Kocsis scored the first in the 8'. Soon Valencia replied, drawing the game in the 11' in the first goal of Yosu. Still, Kocsis was able to advance the blaugranas again in the 20', but Vicente Guillot tied the game in the 36'. Yosu scored his 2nd goal right before the half time, it was a blow for the Catalans, who were a toy in Valencia's hands in the 2nd half. Guillot scored 2 more goals in the 54' and the 68' and Nuñez finished the beating in the 74', in a great night of the valencianistas and a dark night of Pesudo, Barça's goalie. The Catalans missed the retired Ramallets.

The 2nd leg was played in the Camp Nou, who just gathered 50000 disappointed fans, who didn't have much faith in winning the title. Once again, Kocsis carried the blaugranas and scored a goal in the begining of the 2nd half. But when the game was dying and the Fairs Cip was eventually in Valencia's hands, Guillot tied the game. Valencia had won their first European title of more to come.

In the previous rounds, Valencia had knocked several powerful teams out. In the first round, Nottingham Forest, who were crushed at home 1-5 by the "ché" team. In the QFs, Valencia was the "victim", since they had to face the great Inter Milan of Helenio Herrera, Luis Suarez and Mazzola, who were going to amaze Europe in the following years. But Valencia won 2-0 in Mestalla and tied 2-2 in San Siro. In the semis, Valencia trashed MTK Budapest in Mestalla (7-3) and in Budapest (0-3).

1962-1963

La Liga

Historical achievement for Real Madrid, winning the 3rd Liga in a row, something that noone ever did before. Even though Real Madrid missed Di Stéfano in many games that season, the team was clearly superior that season. Ferenc Puskas became the leader of a team that had generational change. The spine of Real Madrid in the last decade started to be replaced by a bunch of young talented players like Zoco, Muller, Yanko Daukic and, especially, Amancio, who was a great right winger, very talented and physically powerful.

The madridistas had no rival in La Liga that season and achieved another record: they were champions 5 games before the end to finish 12 points over the 2nd, Atlético Madrid.

In the Camp Nou, Barcelona make the worst season since 1944, finishing 6th. Kubala started the season as the coach, but he's fired in January 1963. The blaugrana legend feels betrayed by the club and leaves Barcelona to sign as a player for Español, where he played one season. Barça saved the season with a Copa victory though.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 49 (EC)
2. Atlético Madrid - 37 (FC)
3. Oviedo - 33
4. Valladolid - 33
5. Zaragoza - 32 (FC)
6. Barcelona - 31 (CWC)
7. Valencia - 31 (FC)
8. Elche - 29
9. Betis - 28
10. Athletic - 28
11. Sevilla - 27
12. Cordoba - 27
13. Mallorca - 26 (Pr)
14. Deportivo - 25 (Pr)
15. Osasuna - 24 (R)
16. Malaga - 20 (R)

Pichichi - Puskas (Real Madrid) - 26 goals in 30 goals
Zamora - Vicente (Real Madrid) - 26 goals in 28 games (0,92 goals/games)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Pontevedra - 41 (P)
2. Español - 39 (Pr)
3. Racing - 37

Group South
1. Murcia - 42 (P)
2. Levante - 41 (Pr)
3. Las Palmas - 38

Playoff
Deportivo-Levante (1-2, 2-1) Levante go to Primera in PKs
Español - Mallorca (1-1, 1-0)

Copa del Rey

FC Barcelona saved the season and won the first domestic title in 3 years winning the Copa title against Zaragoza. The Bernabeu saw a great Barcelona that night, who beated the new raising power of Zaragoza in just 20 minutes. Pereda scored in the 9', Kocsis scored the 2nd in the 18' and Zaldua finished the beating in the 58'. The zaragozista Villa scored in the 61'. The barcelonistas were driven by Jose Gonzalvo, while Zaragoza was trained by the ex-barcelonista Cesar. At the end of the game, Barcelona announced the signing of Cesar for the next season.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

It was the first big failure of Real Madrid in Europe. The madridistas got surprised in the Bernabeu against Anderlecht, where the Belgian team overcame a 2-0 and later a 3-2 to tie the game 3-3. The Spanish press was surprised to see this wonderful team suffering so much. Real Madrid paid the arrogance in the 2nd leg, losing 1-0 in Belgium. Madrid was out in the prelimiary round.

AC Milan won their first EC that year, beating the twice winners Benfica (2-1)

For the first time ever, no player of La Liga were among the top 3 in the Ballon D'Or award.


Cup Winners Cup

Two teams represented Spain in this edition: Atlético Madrid, as title holders, and Sevilla FC, as Copa winners.

Sevilla made their debut in the prelimiary round and it was a disaster. The sevillistas faced the Scottish giants Rangers and they were crushed 4-0 in Glasgow. The andaluces fought in the 2nd leg, but the 2-0 was not enough to advance.

Atlético made their debut in the 2nd Round since they had been the winners the year before. Atlético faced Hibernians and they had no problems to beat the team that had eliminated Barcelona in the Fairs Cup 2 years before. The 4-0 in the Metropolitano was followed for a 0-1 away.

In QFs, Atlético didn't have problems again to beat Botev. The Spanish club tied 1-1 away and impose their superiority at home again, in a 4-0 that started to be normal.

In the semis, Atlético had a tougher rival, the German Cup champions, Nurnberg. The first game was at home, in the Metropolitano, Atlético achieved a good result, winning 2-0. In Germany, the colchoneros had to suffer, but despite the 2-1 defeat, they advanced to the final for the 2nd time in a row.

The final was in Rotterdam at Feyenoord's home. Spurs were the first English and British club to lift a major European trophy, crushing Atlético 5-1 in an awful night for the Spanish team. Their star Jimmy Graves was the key man of the final scoring 2 goals. The other goals of Spurs were scored by Terry Dyson (2) and John White.

Fairs Cup

3 teams represented Spain in the 5th edition of the Fairs Cup: Valencia, Barcelona and Zaragoza.

The blaugranas, who had reached the final the year before, could just reach the 1/8s this time, after passing 2 rounds. The Yugoslavian team Red Star were the ones who finished with the Catalans.

This was the first European presence for Zaragoza too. The zaragozistas, like Barcelona, could just reach the 1/8s. The Italian Roma were the ones who finished with this young promising squad.

But once again, for the 2nd time, Valencia saved the name of the Spanish team. The valencianistas became a nightmare for the Scottish clubs that season. Valencia finished with Celtic, Dunfermline and Hibernians in the first 3 rounds. In the semis, Valencia revenged Sevilla, beating AS Roma.

In the final, Valencia faced the Croats (back then Yugoslavians) Dynamo Zagreb. Valencia already solved in Zagreb, but the game wasn't easy. The croats started the game really well and scored in the 15' by Zambata. After the 1-0 of the half time, Scopelli's team reacted and showed the pride of the champions. Waldo tied the game in the 63' and, just 3 minutes later, the valencianistas silenced the Dynamo stadium due to the goal by Urtiaga. Valencia won 1-2 in Zagreb.

Mestalla was prepared for the final party. 55000 souls filled Mestalla and the team responded to the expectations, although they had to wait until the 2nd half. Mañó finished with the hopes of the croats when he scored in the 68'. With Dynamo almost dead, Nuñez scored the 2nd in the 78' to close the 2-0.

Valencia were Fairs Cup winners for the 2nd consecutive time. Quincoces lift the trophy for the valencianistas in their 2nd continental trophy.

1963-1964

La Liga

This year means the end of a generation and the begining of a new one. It was the last season of a myth: Alfredo Di Stéfano, who was 38 years old. In any case, the season didn't start very well for the madridistas. Real Madrid were touring in South America in their pre-season and Di Stéfano was kidnapped in Venezuela by a revolutionary armed band. He was kidnapped for 3 days by a Venezuelan, son of Spanish anarchists who had fought in the Spanish Civil War. In any case, the end of it was happy and Di Stefano could start the new season without any problem.

Miguel Muñoz's team based their 4th consecutive title in a strong defense. For the first time in a long time, Real Madrid weren't the top scorers, although Puskas kept his great records. The big rival was FC Barcelona, driven by Cesar from the bench. But a 1-2 victory of the madridistas in the Camp Nou finished with the hopes of the Catalans again. It was the 10th title of the madridistas who were dominating the decade in an impressive superiority.

Madrid lost a great player and got a myth, their biggest player. Di Stefano changed the fate of Real Madrid for good and became the first big hero in football's history.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 46 (EC)
2. FC Barcelona - 42 (FC)
3. Real Betis - 37 (FC)
4. Real Zaragoza - 34 (CWC)
5. Elche - 33
6. Valencia - 32 (FC)
7. Atlético - 29 (FC)
8. Athletic - 29 (FC)
9. Sevilla - 29
10. Levante - 27
11. Cordoba - 26
12. Murcia - 26
13. Español - 25 (Pr)
14. Oviedo - 25 (Pr)
15. Pontevedra - 21 (R)
16. Valladolid - 19 (R)

Pichichi - Puskas (Real Madrid) - 20 goals in 25 games
Zamora - Vicente (Real Madrid) - 10 goals in 15 games (0,66 goals/game)

Segunda Division
Group North
1. Deportivo - 42 (P)
2. Sporting - 39 (Pr)
3. Europa - 37

Group South
1. Las Palmas - 40 (P)
2. Hercules -39 (Pr)
3. Mallorca - 37

Playoff
Sporting - Español (1-0, 0-3)
Oviedo - Hercules (4-1, 1-0)

Copa del Rey

The first title of a mythical team, the Zaragoza of the "5 magnificos" (Five magnificent). Zaragoza had made their best team ever and this year they won the double, winning Copa and Fairs Cup. The zaragozistas had lost the final the year before, but they learnt the lesson and Atlético Madrid paid the bill in the Bernabeu.

Lapetra scored the first in the 18' and Villa the 2nd in the 36'. Cardona could just reduce the distance in the 72' for Atlético, but there was no way to stop this big Real Zaragoza, who were going to set an era in their club.

VIDEO: Real Zaragoza 2-1 Atlético Madrid

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Real Madrid's dominance in Spain didn't have reflection in the last years, especially in the previous season. Di Stéfano wished to give another European Cup to the madridistas in the last season and this title became a major objective.

The preliminary round faced the madridistas with Rangers. In Glasgow, the madridistas beated the Scottish giants 0-1. In the Bernabeu, Rangers received a historical beating, losing 6-0.

In the first round, Real Madrid faced the Romanians champions, Dinamo Bucharest. Once again, the merengues didn't have many problems to defeat the Eastern European team, 1-3 away and 5-3 in the Bernabeu.

The QFs faced 2 of the most important clubs of the moment, the 5 times EC winners, Real Madrid, and the previous champion, AC Milan. Despite the European triumph, the milanisti had lost the domestic dominance against their local eternal rivals, Inter. In Europe, the madridistas showed their pride and crushed AC Milan. The 4-1 in the Bernabeu was followed by a 0-2 in San Siro.

Real Madrid was lucky in the draw in the semis, facing the surprising Zürich, who couldn't stand the pressure of the moment and collapsed against the Spanish champions. 1-2 in Switzerland and 6-0 in Madrid.

The final of Viena was a nightmare for the madridistas. It was the first final for Inter, perfectly driven by the great Helenio Herrera, a man who had also made Madrid suffer when he was in Barcelona. Inter also had an "old friend" of the madridistas, the ex-Barcelona player, Luis Suárez, the great star of the team. Helenio Herrera had perfectioned the Catenaccio that became a winning formula. The greatest Inter ever also had fantastic players like Picchi, Facchetti, Jair and Mazzola.

That, however, would be the last olé for Sres Puskás and Di Stéfano. While the 38-year-olds foundered on a miserly Inter rearguard at the Prater stadium, Mazzola was magic in the Nerazzurri attack. His two goals sandwiched another from Aurelio Milani, and all Madrid could muster by way of a reply was a consolation strike from Felo.

Cup Winners' Cup

Barcelona made their debut in a trophy that would give a lot of glory to the Catalans in Europe in the future. However, that season wasn't that good. The team of Cesar eliminated Shelbourne in the first round without problems, winning 0-2 away and 3-1 in Barcelona.

But Barça felt in the 2nd round. The blaugranas could just tied 4-4 in the Camp Nou against Hamburg. In Germany, they tied 0-0 and the Germans won the replay.

Barça added another failure in Europe and the past victories in the Fairs Cup started to be hard to be repeated.

Fairs Cup

This season Spain was represented by 3 clubs: Valencia, title holders; Real Zaragoza and Atlético Madrid.

Atlético Madrid had reached 2 CWC finals in the previous 2 years, winning one of them, but they failed this time. They only passed the first round to fall against the Italian giants Juventus in 1/8s.

On the other hand, Valencia and Zaragoza dominated the competition, reaching the final. It was the 2nd Spanish final in Europe. The final was played in the Camp Nou in front of 50,000 people. The zaragozistas completed the Double, beating Valencia 2-1. Villa advanced the maños in the 41', but Urtiaga tied for Valencia 2 minutes later. In the 2nd half, Marcelino scored the goal of the victory against a Valencia that couldn't do anything after Suco's red card, who had made an agression on the referee. Yarza, Zaragoza's goalie and captain, lift the 2nd trophy in few weeks.

Zaragoza completed their best season in their history winning Copa and Fairs Cup. In this tournament, they had left Lausane, Juventus, Lieggois out. They became a legend and the fans of all Spain learned their forward line by memory: Canario, Santos, Marcelino, Villa and Lapetra... Los 5 Magnificos.

1964-1965

La Liga

Real Madrid completed the change of generation and won the 5th consecutive Liga and once again they did it in total dominance. Real Madrid survived to the retirement of Di Stéfano without any problem. The new team still mixed some veterans like Puskas or Gento, with a new great generation of players who were going to be the spine of Real Madrid in the 2nd part of the decade, like Amancio, Grosso, De Felipe, Betancort,...

The only rival through the season was Atlético Madrid, who finished 4 points far from Real Madrid and won the Copa del Generalismo. At the same time, the Real Zaragoza of the "5 magnificos" finished 3rd completing a great season too.

Once again, Barcelona was lost, far from the top positions, finishing 6th, along with Athletic, 7th. In Barcelona, a young Carles Rexach made his debut with the first team.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 47 (EC)
2. Atlético - 43 (CWC)
3. Zaragoza - 40 (FC)
4. Valencia - 38 (FC)
5. Cordoba - 35
6. Barcelona - 32 (FC)
7. Athletic - 32
8. Elche - 31
9. Las Palmas - 29
10. Sevilla - 26
11. Español - 25 (FC)
12. Betis - 23
13. Murcia - 23 (Pr)
14. Levante - 21 (Pr)
15. Oviedo - 20 (R)
16. Deportivo - 15 (R)

Pichichi - Re (FC Barcelona) - 20 goals in 25 games
Zamora - Betancort (Real Madrid) - 14 goals in 25 games (0,56 goals/game)

Segunda
Group North
1. Pontevedra - 45 (P)
2. Sabadell - 39 (Pr)
3. Sporting - 38

Group South
1. Mallorca - 42 (P)
2. Malaga - 38 (Pr)
3. Valladolid - 35

Playoff
Malaga-Levante (4-2, 0-0)
Murcia-Sabadell (2-2, 0-1)

Copa del Rey

Atlético won their 2nd Copa. After a great year in La Liga, they had to face the previous winners Zaragoza, one of the best teams in Europe at that time. Peiró had left Atlético to play in Italy, but that year Atlético signed one player that would give them a lot of glory in the next decades: Luis Aragones, who couldn't play the final. In a full Bernabeu, Cardona scored the only goal in the 65' to give the Copa to the colchoneros with Otto Blumbel on the bench. This Atlético generation would eventually become one of the greatest generations of the club.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Real Madrid, who dominated Spain without a rival, was going to fight to achieve the 6th European Cup, for the first time without Di Stéfano. In the preliminary round, they faced the humble B1909 and they advanced without much problems, winning both games 2-5 and 4-0.

The madridistas also passed the 2nd round without much problems, beating Pribram. They solved the round in the first leg winning 4-0 in Madrid to tie 2-2 away.

The first tough rival appeared in the QFs against Benfica. Real Madrid suffered the worst beating in their history of this tournament until that moment, losing 5-1 in Da Luz. Madrid won the 2nd leg, winning 2-1, but it wasn't enough.

Benfica reached the final and lost against Inter, who retained the title.

Cup Winners' Cup

Zaragoza made their debut in this tournament after the Double of the previous year, willing to repeat the success of the previous season. In the preliminary round, the zaragozistas knocked Valletta out easily, winning 0-3 and 5-1.

The first round had to be played against Dundee Utd.. Zaragoza tied 2-2 in the islands to use the home factor to advance after a 2-1 victory.

In the QFs, they went back to the UK, this time to face Cardiff. The Spanish club tied in Wales again 2-2. Zaragoza solved in La Romareda again, winning 1-0.

In the semis. Zaragoza faced the English FA Cup winners West Ham Utd.. But this time, they lost 2-1 in England and they could not overcome the result, just drawing at home 1-1. Zaragoza was out.

Fairs Cup

Barcelona, Valencia, Atlético and Athletic played this tournament in this season and, for the first time in a long time, the Spanish clubs failed.

Valencia surprisingly lost in the first round after reaching 2 consecutive finals. Liege knocked them out, which meant a big failure for the valencianistas.

Barcelona could just reach the 1/8s, where they met and lost against Strasbourg. Just another point in that shameful season.

Athletic played for the 2nd time in Europe and, like the first time they played the European Cup, the Basques felt in QFs, this time against Ferencvaros.

Atlético were the team who played the best football among the Spanish teams, but against Juventus, as it happened the year before, knocked them out.

1965-1966[/b]

La Liga

... and Madrid felt. After 5 consecutive Liga titles, Atlético Madrid could stop the madridistas. In the previous season, Madrid's local rivals were the main rival in Liga and the best team in Copa. Atlético Madrid had built a good team with Luis Aragonés as the main player. Luis had been a player raised in Getafe and signed by Real Madrid when he was 20 years old in the late 50s. Luis never had a chance in Real Madrid and was loaned to several clubs of Spain and, finally, Atlético signed him. He had the chance to prove everyone wrong in the Metropolitano first and later in the Vicente Calderón. Aside Luis, Atlético had some other good players like the veterans Collar or Jones or new players like Ufarte or Adelardo, who were going to make the best Atlético ever. Besides, Atlético could cellebrate the Liga title in their new home: the Manzanares stadium (in the future Vicente Calderon), that could host 65000 people.

The Real Madrid "Ye-Ye" fought until the last moment, but failed in their intention to catch Atletico. On the other hand, it was the year of the 6th European Cup.

Barcelona still was in the self-destructive mood, "burning" players and coaches. That year was good for the economy of the club though. After several years of legal fights with the Spanish government, they could finally sell the grounds of the old stadium Les Corts, which was good for the economy of Barcelona.

Zaragoza and Athletic also did a good season.

Primera Division
1. Atlético Madrid - 44 (EC)
2. Real Madrid - 43 (EC)
3. Barcelona - 38 (FC)
4. Zaragoza - 36 (CWC)
5. Athletic - 36 (FC)
6. Elche - 32
7. Pontevedra - 31
8. Sevilla - 27 (FC)
9. Valencia - 27 (FC)
10. Las Palmas - 26
11. Cordoba - 25
12. Español - 24
13. Malaga - 24 (Pr)
14. Sabadell - 23 (Pr)
15. Mallorca - 23 (R)
16. Betis - 23 (R)

Pichichi - Vava (Elche) - 19 goals in 30 games
Zamora - Pesudo (Barcelona) - 15 goals in 22 games (0,68 goals/game)

Segunda
Gropu North
1. Deportivo - 43 (P)
2. Celta - 39 (Pr)
3. Sporting - 36

Group South
1. Hercules - 39 (P)
2. Granada - 37 (Pr)
3. Algeciras - 35

Playoff
Granada-Malaga (2-1, 1-1)
Sabadell-Celta (1-1, 0-0)

Copa del Rey

The Bernabeu saw a final between the "King of Cups" Athletic and the Zaragoza of the "5 Magnificos". It had been a long time since the last final of Athletic in Copa, 8 years. Athletic had changed a lot in all this time and they had suffered the arrival of so many foreigners to La Liga. At that moment, Athletic had the best goalie of Spain: Iribar, the unquestionable star of the team and an important person in the club's history.

But Athletic felt against this great Zaragoza. The maños dominated the game and won 2-0 with goals by Villa (26') and Lapetra (40'), who was the one who lift the trophy. Iribar was one of the best players of the final, but it was impossible for him to stop the best Zaragoza ever. The ref disallowed a goal for Zaragoza too, scored by Villa.

Zaragoza 2-0 Athletic

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

And Real Madrid finally won "the 6th". In the preliminary round, Real Madrid faced the Dutch winners Feyenoord. The madridistas lost 2-1 in Rotterdam, but the Bernabeu made the difference and the merengues won 5-0.

In the First Round, Real Madrid also achieved a good result away (2-2) against Kilmarnock to use the Bernabeu to advance to the next round (5-1). In the QFs, Madrid got their revenge against Anderlecht, but once against the Belgian team was a nightmare for the madridistas, who lost 2-1 away and suffered to beat them, 4-2 in Madrid.

Once again, Madrid reached the semifinals. This time the rival was the twice European Cup winners Inter Milan. And Real Madrid got the revenge here again. The madridistas beated the Italians in the Bernabeu (2-1) and resisted in the Giuseppe Meazza (1-1) to play another final.

This time, it was in Heysel and the rival was the Yusgoslavian team FK Partizan. Old habits die hard, so it was no great surprise when Real Madrid CF returned to winning ways in 1965/66 with their sixth European Champion Clubs' Cup success. What was striking about this Madrid team, however, was a line-up showing eleven Spanish players for the final against FK Partizan - and captained by the veteran Paco Gento. Gento is the only player ever to win 6 European Cups, an irrepeatable record.

Real Madrid 2-1 Partizan

Intercontinental Cup

Real Madrid played this tournament for the 2nd time, but this time they failed, losing both games in Uruguay and Spain 2-0.

Peñarol's greatest triumph came in 1966 as they beat Real Madrid in both legs, with Ecuadorian ace Alberto Spencer hitting three goals. Their coach at the time was none other than a certain Roque Maspoli.

Cup Winners' Cup

Atlético Madrid went back to the CWC. In the preliminary round, the atléticos faced Dinamo Zagreb, and the Spanish Liga champions didn't have problems to crush them (4-0, 0-1).

In the first round, Atlético Madrid had to face Univ. Craiova. Once again, the colchoneros also passed to the QFs with 2 easy victories, winning 0-2 away and 4-0 in the Manzanares.

In the QFs, Atlético got surprised by Borussia Dortmund. The Spanish club tied 1-1 in Madrid and lost the game in Germany, 2-1. Few months later, Borussia Dortmund won their first major continental trophy.

Fairs Cup

Once again Barcelona, Valencia, Español and Zaragoza reprsented Spain in this tournament.

The valencianistas reached the 1/8s until the faced one of the best English teams of the moment, Leeds United. For the 2nd time in a row, Valencia failed in Europe very soon and the English team knock them out.

Español went a bit further, until they met their eternal rivals: Barcelona, but this time in Europe. Español couldn't beat the big team of the city and felt in QFs for the 2nd time.

Barcelona and Zaragoza reached the final again. Barcelona to win the 3rd Fairs Cup and Zaragoza to win the 2nd, as Barcelona and Valencia. The final was very beautiful. The first game was played in Barcelona, in the Camp Nou. 70000 people filled the Catalan stadium, but they got forzen by the goal of Canario in the 39'. The game finished 0-1 and Zaragoza had half Fairs Cup in their pocket. The barcelonistas, tired, frustrated and mad booed the blaugranas and threw objects to the pitch. Barcelona had clashed against the perfect defense of Zaragoza.

The 35000 people in La Romareda were ready to carry their great team to the 2nd Fairs Cup title... but the party was spoiled by the early goal of Barcelona in the 3', scored by Pujol. With the final ballanced, Zaragoza went to attack and the achieved their goal in the 24', scored by the "magnifico" Marcelino. The final was in Zaragoza's side again and this was the result in the half time.

The minutes passed and, with 20' to go, Zaballa ballanced the final again. The last minutes were tense, a goal would give the final to any team... and Barcelona scored in the 85', again Pujol and 1-3. With La Romareda in silence, the zaragozistas had to attack with desperation and Barcelona couldn't resist it. Marcelino scored in the 87' a goal that brought both teams to the extra time.

A tense extra time, but Barcelona had been the best team in this 2nd game. In the 120', in the last breath, Pujol completed his hat-trick and gave the Fairs Cup to Barcelona, the 3rd European title of the decade, the only happiness for the blaugranas in this decade.

The Spanish teams, who had been dominating Europe for a decade, winning 6 European Cups, 6 Fairs Cup and 1 Cup Winners' Cup, were going to suffer their worst time in Europe, not winning a title in 12 years, the years of the raise of the German, Dutch and British football.

1966-1967

La Liga

After a triubute game for Di Stéfano, Real Madrid's goal was to try to recover the Spanish crown lost the previous year. For the first time in years, Barcelona were the main rival of the madridistas in La Liga. Madrid had finished their particular revolution without traumas, they had replaced Di Stefano, Puskas, etc. and the team didn't suffer much. The barcelonistas didn't find the key to achieve success again though. In any case, it was a very polemic year. The game between both giants were essential to decide the champion, the referee extended the game for 10 minutes without any reason. Real Madrid scored their only goal in the 97'. After the game, the referee said that his clock had stopped. In any case, Real Madrid's run in La Liga was impressive, only losing two games.

Madrid Ye Ye: Grosso, De Felipe, Pirri and Velazquez

The top positions were for the same teams of the last decade and also a surprising Español that finished 3rd.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 47 (EC)
2. FC Barcelona - 42 (FC)
3. Español - 37
4. Atlético - 35 (FC)
5. Zaragoza - 34 (FC)
6. Valencia - 32 (CWC)
7. Athletic - 31 (FC)
8. Sabadell - 20
9. Elche - 27
10. Pontevedra - 27
11. Las Palmas - 26
12. Cordoba - 26
13. Sevilla - 25 (Pr)
14. Granada - 23 (Pr)
15. Hercules - 20 (R)
16. Deportivo - 18 (R)

Pichichi - Waldo (Valencia) - 24 goals in 30 games
Zamora - Betancort (Real Madrid) - 15 goals in 22 games (0,68 goals/game)

Segunda Division
North
1. Real Sociedad - 46 (P)
2. Sporting - 45 (Pr)
3. Celta - 36

South
1. Malaga - 44 (P)
2. Betis - 40 (Pr)
3. Castellon - 37

Playoff
Sevilla-Sporting (1-0, 1-0)
Betis-Granada (2-0, 1-0)

Copa del Rey

Valencia reached the fina 13 years later, beating Madrid and Elche in the previous rounds. Gainza's Athletic reached the final for the 2nd consecutive time. The Basques wanted to recover the crown again, but they failed once again, this time against a superior Valencia, who had good players like Waldo, the Pichichi, and Abelardo, reinforced by Juan Cruz Sol or Pepe Claramunt. The Paraguayan Jara advanced the valencianistas in the scoreboard of the Bernabeu (46') and 10 minutes later Paquito sentenced the game (55'). Uriarte gave life to Athletic with a goal in the 63'. In any case, Athletic was unable to overcome the game and Valencia were the deserved winners.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Real Madrid, as previous winners, and Atlético, as Liga champions, were the Spanish representation. Atlético made their debut in the first round, against Malmö. The atléticos didn't have many problems to defeat Swedish team in the 2 games (0-2, 3-1).

In the 2nd Round, Atlético faced Vojvodina and the Yugoslavians knocked them out. The atléticos lost 3-1 away and won 2-0 at home, but they lost the replay.

In the same round, Real Madrid made their debut, to defend their title. The debut wasn't easy, losing 1-0 in Germany against Munich 1860. Once again, the Bernabeu made the difference and the madridistas won 3-1.

In the QFs, Europe could see a fantastic eliminatory between 2 legendary teams: Inter vs Real Madrid. The round was supposedly ballanced, but once again Luis Suarez, Mazzola and company beated Real Madrid. In the Meazza, Inter won 1-0, a short result... but they surprised Europe, beating Madrid in the Bernabeu 0-2, a historical event.

It was also the year of a historical event. For the first time ever, a non-latin team won the European Cup: Celtic FC. "It was inevitable. Sooner or later the Inter of Helenio Herrera, the Inter of catenaccio, of marginal victories, had to pay for their refusal to play entertaining football." Thus argued the Portuguese newspaper Mundo Desportivo after Celtic FC became the first non-Latin winners of the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1966/67.

The Scottish team's victory - one of open play over the "negative football" of Internazionale FC - was all the more remarkable because manager Jock Stein had fielded ten Glasgow-born players in the final at Lisbon's Estádio Nacional. The local boys made good, though, replying to Sandro Mazzola's early penalty and Inter's spoiling tactics with second-half goals from Tommy Gemmell and Steve Chalmers.

The Italian side had been clear favourites to lift the trophy. Although they needed a play-off to beat FC CSKA Sofia in the semi-finals, the Nerazzurri had knocked out holders Real Madrid CF in the quarter-finals, 3-0 on aggregate. Yet Celtic's quality was also clear as they disposed of FC Zürich, FC Nantes Atlantique, FK Vojvodina and Dukla Prague (now FC Príbram).

Celtic FC 2-1 Internazionale FC

Cup Winners' Cup

The Zaragoza of the "5 magnificos" played the CWC, trying to repeat an European final again. In the first round, they already had problems to beat Skeid. They lost 3-2 away, although they overcame the result in La Romareda, winning 3-1.

In the 2nd round, they had to face the English Cup winners, Everton. The zaragozistas won at home, 2-0, and they resisted in England, just losing 1-0.

In the QFs, Zaragoza faced Rangers. The Scottish club won 2-0 in their home. Zaragoza had to overcome the result and they did it in the capital of Aragon, winning 2-0. The round was decided by a coin... and Zaragoza lost.

The CWC went to a new raising power: Bayern Munich.

Fairs Cup

4 teams represented La Liga that year: Barcelona, previous winners; Valencia, Sevilla and Athletic. The result was a total failure and a disaster with no precedents.

In the preliminary round, Athletic felt against Red Star Belgrade, losing 5-2 on aggregate; and Sevilla lost against the Romanian Arges Pitesti, 4-2 on agreggate.

Barça directly played the first round, but the title holders and 3 times winners surprisingly felt against the Scottish Dundee Utd, losing both games.

Valencia reached the 1/8s, the 2nd round, but again Leeds Utd. stopped their way to the glory and left Spain without representation in Europe. Leeds played and lost the final of that year against Dinamo Zagreb.

This European disaster was the begining of a dark era of the Spanish clubs in Europe.

1967-1968

La Liga

Another title for the Real Madrid "ye ye". It was a total dictatorship and the madridistas couldn't find any rival in Spain. Madrid was the example of a perfect club, a reference in all Europe. Santiago Bernabeu had created a big club, really organized, modern and financially powerful. They started their renovation in the early 60s and they did it perfectly, since the results of the team wasn't affected.

Miguel Muñoz, coach

Barcelona finished 2nd again, 3 points behind Real Madrid. But Barcelona was the example of the opposite. A club that was a mess, with a huge institutional inestability. The veteran barcelonistas missed the old times of Kubala, Suarez, etc.. Coaches coming and going. Changes in the presidency. Barcelona wasn't doing things right.

This year Las Palmas was a surprising team that finished 3rd. Valencia started a grey era after a decade of victories in Europe. The Zaragoza of the "5 maginificos" started the decline. Atlético needed to do a generational change that was going to give them success in the future. Athletic had lost their superiority in Spain, the Basques couldn't form a team as good as in the past and the arrival of foreigners was a hard competence for them, in a less local and more global football.

Besides, it was a terrible year for the 2 teams of Sevilla that got relegated.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 42 (EC)
2. FC Barcelona - 39 (CWC)
3. Las Palmas - 38
4. Valencia - 34 (FC)
5. Zaragoza - 33 (FC)
6. Atlético - 33 (FC)
7. Athletic - 32 (FC)
8. Pontevedra - 31
9. Español - 29
10. Malaga - 27
11. Elche - 26
12. Sabadell - 26
13. Cordoba - 25 (Pr)
14. Real Sociedad - 24 (Pr)
15. Betis - 20 (R)
16. Sevilla - 20 (R)

Pichichi - Uriarte (Athletic) - 22 goals in 24 games
Zamora - Junquera (Real Madrid) - 19 goals in 22 games (0,86 goals/game)

Segunda Division
North Group
1. Deportivo - 43 (P)
2. Valladolid - 41 (Pr)
3. Celta - 36

South Group
1. Granada - 40 (P)
2. Calvo Sotelo - 39 (Pr)
3. Alcoyano - 37

Playoff
Cordoba - Calvo Sotelo (3-0, 3-1)
Valladolid - Real Sociedad (0-1, 0-0)

Copa del Rey

The Copa del Generalisimo saw the big game of the Spanish football: Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona, in the Bernabeu stadium. 100,000 people filled the madridista coliseum to see this final. Real Madrid were obviously the big favourites. Barcelona had survived to this season winning Fairs Cups and Copas, but it was obvious that the fans weren't happy. But this final was a great achievement for the Catalans.

The game didn't start very well. Zunzunegui scored an own goal in the 6' and Barcelona got the advantage in the Bernabeu. It's not that Barcelona did a great game, but they defended the result very well. The madridistas didn't have their best day either and, despite they attacked Barça, the goalie Sadurní became the saviour and hero of the final. Barcelona, with a young "Charly" Rexach in the squad, won the Copa and Zaldúa lifted the Copa.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

Once again, Real Madrid went to Europe to recover the glory of the past years, their main goal, since they dominated Spain without a problem. In the first round, they faced a surprisingly (not in the future though) Dutch club: AFC Ajax, a team led by a 20 year old slim kid called Johan Cruyff, that was one of the surprises of the previous season, when they beated Liverpool. The madridistas had to suffer to beat this young Dutch team, they tied 1-1 in Amsterdam. But the game in the Bernabeu wasn't easier and the game also finished 1-1. Madrid could only beat Ajax in the extra time.

Hvidovre was the next rival in the 2nd round. The madridistas tied 2-2 away and they took profit of the Bernabeu to win 3-1. In the QFs, they faced the Czech club Sparta Praha. Madrid solved the round in the first game, winning 3-0 in the Bernabeu. The Czechs won in their home 2-1, but it wasn't enough for them to advance.

Real Madrid reached the semis again and this time they met the English champions Manchester United. The English club won at home 1-0, but the round was open and they had to visit the great Bernabeu. Matt Busby's side failed to win a single away game, a statistic that almost cost them dear in the semi-finals. Three-one down in the return leg in Madrid, United were facing a fourth defeat at this stage of the competition until late strikes by David Sadler and Bill Foulkes carried them through, 4-3 on aggregate.

Matt Busby's and Bobby Charlton's destiny had been linked since the tragedy of Munich. In the 10th anniversary of that awful date for the English club, Manchester United beated not only Madrid, but also Eusebio's Benfica, 2 of the best European sides of the 60, to win the so wished European Cup in Wembley, which was a tribute for that great Manchester United of the late 50s, the "Busby Babes" that dramatically disappeared in that plane accident.

Matt Busby and Manchester United, European champions

Cup Winners' Cup

Valencia, previous Copa winners, faced Crusaders in the first round. The valencianistas didn't have many problems to win both legs. Valencia won 4-0 at home and 2-4 away.

In the 2nd round, Steaua was the next victim of the valencianistas. At home, Valencia solved the round, winning 3-0. The Spanish team lost in Romania, 1-0, but it was enough to pass it.

In the QFs, Valencia couldn't beat another young side that was about to dominate Europe: Bayern Munich. The German club already had players like Franz Beckenbauer or Sepp Maier. The 1-1 in Mestalla was followed by a 1-0 in Germany and this was the end for Valencia in this CWC.

Finally, AC Milan won the trophy.


Fairs Cup

The Spanish clubs in this edition were Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Athletic and Zaragoza. As it had happened in the previous edition, the final result was a total disaster for all the Spanish clubs.

Barça made the ridicule, falling against the humble Zürich in the previous round.

Atlético and Zaragoza didn't go much further, losing against Goztepe (Turkey) and Ferencvaros (Hungary) respectively in the next round. Preciselly, Ferencvaros were the side that knocked Athletic down in the 2nd round, closing another disaster for the clubs of the Spanish league.

1968-1969

La Liga

14th Liga title for Real Madrid. The year was a military walk for the madridistas who crushed every single rival they faced, just losing one game in the whole season. It was also the last Liga for the veteran winger Paco Gento, the man with more European Cups in history, although he retired 2 years later. It was also the last Liga of Real Madrid in the 60s. The merengues achieved the title 3 games before the end of the season.

Las Palmas was again the surprise of the season. The islanders had the best team of their history. Barcelona kept Artigas on the bench to gain some stability, but the result wasn't as good as it was supposed to be in a team that needed a revolution. Narcis Carreras was the president, although just for one season. Rexach was the star of the catalans back then.

Most of the top teams of the last decade were in a generational change and suffering its effects. The effects on Zaragoza were tougher. The maños had been a reference during the decade and they had to fight to avoid relegation until the last day. Real Madrid seemed too superior... although they didn't know what was going to happen in the future.

Primera Division
1. Real Madrid - 47 (EC)
2. Las Palmas - 38 (FC)
3. FC Barcelona - 37 (FC)
4. Sabadell - 32 (FC)
5. Valencia - 31 (FC)
6. Atlético Madrid - 30
7. Real Sociedad - 29
8. Granada - 29
9. Elche - 29
10. Deportivo - 28
11. Athletic - 28 (CWC)
12. Pontevedra - 27
13. Zaragoza - 26
14. Malaga - 25 (R)
15. Español - 24 (R)
16. Cordoba - 21 (R)

Pichichi - Amancio (Real Madrid), Garate (Atlético) - 14 goals in 29/30 games
Zamora - Sadurni (Barcelona) - 18 goals in 30 games - 0,6 goals/game

Segunda Division
1. Sevilla - 53 (P)
2. Celta - 52 (P)
3. Mallorca - 50 (P)
4. Racing Ferrol - 47
5. Sporting - 42
6. Calvo Sotelo - 42
7. Betis - 41
8. Murcia - 40
9. Rayo Vallecano - 40
10. Valladolid - 39
11. Oviedo - 38
12. Burgos - 38
13. Alcoyano - 35 (Pr-R)
14. Alaves - 35 (Pr-R)
15. Ontinyent - 34 (Pr)
16. Ilicitano - 32 (Pr)
17. Mestalla (Valencia B) - 30 (R)
18. Cadiz - 30 (R)
19. Indautxu - 24 (R)
20. Jerez Industrial - 18 (R)

Copa del Rey

Once again in this decade Athletic arrived to the final. This time the rival was a middle class team, Elche CF, whose main star was the Brazilian Vavá, who had been once Pichichi. This had been the worst decade in Athletic's history. As we already said, the club was unable to create a truly competitive team and, besides, the other clubs had the foreign advantage. This Copa was good for the Basque club and their self-steem. It was the 22nd Copa in their history, still a brilliant record. The coach was the mythical Iriondo and the goal was scored by Arieta II in the 82'. Etxeberría got the Copa. It was the first trophy for Iribar, a goalie that will be always remembered by the fans of football in general. A myth.

Spanish teams in European Cups

European Cup

Real Madrid once again faced this competition as their main goal. The madridistas had an easy rival in the first round, beating the weak AEL, 6-0 in Madrid and 0-6 away.

In the 2nd round, Real Madrid lost 1-0 in Austria against Rapid Wien, but they were confident about the power of the Bernabeu. But this amazing Madrid that dominated in Spain could just win 2-1 and the Austrian team goal on away goals. Madrid once again couldn't repeat the success of the past.

The EC was won by AC Milan, crushing 4-1 a young Ajax that would make history in the future.

AC Milan 4-1 AFC Ajax

Cup Winners' Cup

The bad run in La Liga and Copa made Barcelona focus all the efforts in this competition. In the first round, Barcelona didn't have many problems to beat the Swiss Lugano, 0-1 away and 3-0 in the Camp Nou.

The Catalans were lucky in the 2nd round and they were exempt, jumping directly to the QFs, where they met Lyn. Once again, Barça sentenced in the away game winning 2-3, although they suffered at home, where they could only tie 2-2.

In the semis, Barça met the German champions Köln. Barça got a draw (2-2) in a tough game in Germany to solve in the Camp Nou with an impressive 4-1.

The final was in Basel. Barcelona had the chance to repeat another European success, meeting Slovan Bratislava in the final. But Barcelona lost the final 3-2, despite the 2 goals by Rexach and Zaldúa.

Fairs Cup

Spain was represented by Valencia, Atlético, Athletic and Zaragoza. Once again, the results in this competition showed the crisis of the Spanish football in Europe.

Valencia couldn't even pass the first round, being beated by Sporting Lisbon. The same happened to Atlético, who were defeated by Waregem (Belgium).

Zaragoza and Athletic reached the 1/8s, but the zaragozistas lost against Newcastle United in this round and the Basques felt again the Scottish Rangers FC.

1969-1970

La Liga

It was the end of the dictatorship of Real Madrid in Liga. La Liga started with the Madrid "Ye-Ye" as the one and only favourites, but the season was terrible for them. In any case, the trophy didn't go too far. It went from Chamartin to the Manzanares.

Atlético did a great season to achieve the 2nd title for the club in this decade. Atlético had formed one of the best squads of their history with great players like Luis Aragonés, José Eulogio Garate, Ufarte, Alberto, Jabo Irureta, Adelardo,... The symbol of the change was the 3-0 in the Manzanares, with this great Atlético crushing the madridistas.

Garate

Adelardo

Luis Aragones

After the Copa title, Athletic gained self confidence and went back to the basics of the club, signing the English coach Ronnie Allen, although he had to leave the club in the middle of the season due to his bad relationship with the press. Athletic was really near the title, but they lost it in the last game of the season.

Sevilla was the surprise of the season, finishing 3rd in the year of their return to Primera. Barcelona continued their self-destructive run and their season was to forget again. 3 coaches and a president that would be important in Barça's history, Agusti Montal Jr.. Valencia started to make the necessary changes to get back to the top.

Real Madrid's year in Liga was horrible and they were not even an option, finishing 6th, although they saved their season with a Copa title.

Primera Division
1. Atletico Madrid - 42 (EC)
2. Athletic - 41 (FC)
3. Sevilla - 35 (FC)
4. Barcelona - 35 (FC)
5. Valencia - 35 (FC)
6. Real Madrid - 35 (CWC)
7. Real Sociedad - 33
8. Zaragoza - 33
9. Las Palmas - 27
10. Celta - 27
11. Elche - 26
12. Granada - 26
13. Sabadell - 25
14. Deportivo - 25 (R)
15. Mallorca - 22 (R)
16. Pontevedra - 13 (R)

Pichichi - Amancio (Real Madrid), Garate (Atlético), Luis Aragones (Atletico) -16 goals in 29/30/30 games
Zamora - Iribar (Athletic) - 20 goals in 30 games (0,66 goals/game)

Segunda Division
1. Sporting - 54 (P)
2. Malaga - 49 (P)
3. Español - 49 (P)
4. Betis - 47
5. Cordoba - 43
6. Rayo Vallecano - 41
7. Oviedo - 40
8. Sant Andreu - 37
9. Ontinyent - 36
10. Racing Ferrol - 36
11. Castellon - 35
12. Calvo Sotelo - 35
13. Bilbao Ath. (Athletic B) - 35 (Pr-R)
14. Burgos - 35 (Pr)
15. Osasuna - 33 (Pr-R)
16. Ilicitano - 32 (Pr-R)
17. Valladolid - 32 (R)
18. Murcia - 31 (R)
19. Salamanca - 30 (R)
20. Ourense - 30 (R)

Copa del Rey

Madrid saved their poor season with this Copa title, won in the Camp Nou in front of 80000 people. The madridistas did a perfect game against a tough Valencia. The madridistas scored the first goal, it was a penalty in the 35'. Few minutes later, in another penalty, Jara tied the game for Valencia.

It was the final of the subs, in that way, the reserves of Madrid scored the 2 other goals of the madridistas: Planelles in the 60' and Fleitas in the 65'. Madrid won 3-1 and Gento lifted the last trophy of his successful career.

Spanish teams in Europe

European Cup

The madridistas began the year with illussion again. In the first round, Real Madrid achieved a historical beating, winning 0-8 in Greece against Olympiakos. In the Bernabeu, the madridistas also crushed the Greek squad, winning 6-1.

But in the 2nd round Madrid felt again... the madridistas had lost their superiority in Spain and in Europe. This time, Standard Liege won the 2 games. The 1-0 of Liege was followed by a 2-3 for them in the Bernabeu too.

Real Madrid was out and, for the first time ever, they were not going to be in this competition in the next edition.

Feyenord won the title that year, beating Celtic in the final 2-1, played in the Giuseppe Meazza, starting the "Dutch era".

Feyenoord 2-1 Celtic

Cup Winners' Cup

Athletic make their debut in this competition, but the result wasn't good, losing against Manchester City in the first round. The game in Bilbao was good and the final result was 3-3. In England, Man City crushed "los leones", who were defeated 3-0.

Fairs Cup

The historical clubs Barcelona and Valencia, and the weak Las Palmas and Sabadell, represented Spain in this trophy.

Las Palmas lost in the first round against Hertha Berlin. They tied at home and lost away. Sabadell followed the same path, losing against Brugges. Valencia also failed in the first round, losing against Slavia Sofia. Barça didn't do much better. They were exempt in the first round and they felt in the 2nd against Inter Milan.

Spain added a new failure in Europe.




Summary of the season

Liga
1961 - Real Madrid
1962 - Real Madrid
1963 - Real Madrid
1964 - Real Madrid
1965 - Real Madrid
1966 - Atlético Madrid
1967 - Real Madrid
1968 - Real Madrid
1969 - Real Madrid
1970 - Atlético Madrid

14 - Real Madrid
8 - FC Barcelona
6 - Athletic Club, Atlético Madrid
3 - Valencia CF
1 - Real Betis, Sevilla FC

Copa
1961 - Atlético Madrid 3-2 Real Madrid
1962 - Real Madrid 2-1 Sevilla
1963 - FC Barcelona 3-1 Real Zaragoza
1964 - Real Zaragoza 2-1 Atlético Madrid
1965 - Atlético Madrid 1-0 Real Zaragoza
1966 - Real Zaragoza 2-0 Athletic Club
1967 - Valencia CF 2-1 Athletic Club
1968 - FC Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid
1969 - Athletic Club 1-0 Elche CF
1970 - Real Madrid 3-1 Valencia CF

22 - Athletic Club
16 - FC Barcelona
11 - Real Madrid
4 - Real Union Irun, Valencia CF
3 - Sevilla FC, Atlético Madrid
2 - RCD Español, Real Zaragoza
1 - Real Sociedad, Arenas Getxo

Europe

European Cup
1966 - Real Madrid

6 - Real Madrid

Cup Winners' Cup
1962 - Atlético Madrid

1- Atlético Madrid

Fairs Cup
1962 - Valencia CF
1963 - Valencia CF
1964 - Real Zaragoza
1966 - FC Barcelona

3 - FC Barcelona
2 - Valencia CF
1 - Real Zaragoza

 

you might not be getting replies to this thread K4, but keep up the great work as im enjoying reading this quite a lot.

 

you might not be getting replies to this thread K4, but keep up the great work as im enjoying reading this quite a lot.

It's good to get some feedback... I was thinking that noone cared shit about all this.

 

Good job man. I read it too.

It´s always said in Asturias that Oviedo would have won a title if the Civil War hadn´t appeared. It´s impossible to know it, but they seemed a team in clear progression.

 

Ace thread:thumbsup:

 

Good job man. I read it too.

It´s always said in Asturias that Oviedo would have won a title if the Civil War hadn´t appeared. It´s impossible to know it, but they seemed a team in clear progression.

Without a doubt, they were one of the best teams in the 30s. Who knows what would have happened? But they were near. Besides, they couldn't compete in 1940, so I guess that the club got totally destroyed in the Civil War. A team to remember for sure. If you can tell us more about that team, it'd be great. Sometimes it's so difficult to find anything, especially of those times.

BTW, I want to tell you guys that I'll keep posting one decade in one post. I added the 1961-1962 season today. I'll add more in the next days.

I'm glad you guys enjoy this, thanks for your comments.

 

beautiful K4, can't wait for whatever else you may possibly have in store :lick:

 

Great stuff K4 :thumbsup:

Thanks

 

great thread Koeman, I been reading it since you started it but didn't want to post so not to ruin the thread with posts, but now that many have I did too.

 

you should work for the LFP. Seriously.

 

1962-1963 added in the post #10

 

Epic thread Juanito, i really enjoyed reading this stuff. :thumbsup:

 

1963-1964 added in post 10

 

1956-1957

Spanish teams in the Europe

European Cup

Real Madrid, as previous champions, and Athletic, as current Liga winners, represented Spain in the European Cup.

Athletic had a good run in Europe beating Porto in the previous round and one of the biggest teams in Eastern Europe, Honved, in the first round. In the QFs, Athletic faced Manchester United. The Basques won 5-3 in San Mamés, but Old Trafford was too much for them, and they lost 3-0.

Unfortunately Athletic lost against ManU, but the game was played at Maine Road.

Anyway, I am delighted with this thread.

 

Unfortunately Athletic lost against ManU, but the game was played at Maine Road.

Anyway, I am delighted with this thread.

Ah... thank you for the info. Tomorrow I'll change it. :thumbsup:

BTW, 1964-1965 added (I want this decade to finish)

 

K4 i can't wait till you do the 1981 season, especially the European Part :stuckup:roud:

 

K4 i can't wait till you do the 1981 season, especially the European Part :stuckup:roud:

Me too, to be honest. I already have the youtube video ready... roud: