Soccer Betting - Copa del Rey

History - Facts - Teams - Winners

Copa del Rey is actually the short name for Copa de Su Majestad El Rey Don Juan Carlos I (His Magesty King John Charles I's Cup), the name is conferred in recognition of the current King of Spain. The competition has changed its name several times over the years, according to the nation's leader at the time, who is the one in charge of presenting the trophy to the champion of the tournament.

The championship was created in 1903 due to the success of the Copa de la Coronación (Coronation's Cup), which was a competition between five teams (Madrid FC, FC Barcelona, Club Vizcaya, Club Espanyol de Foot-Ball and New Foot-Ball de Madrid) that took place in celebration of Alfonso XIII's coronation.

With the exception of 1938, year by year the competition has been played since 1903 and during these times FC Barcelona has won 24 times, followed by Ahtletic Bilbao with 23 Cups. Although some people consider that Athletic Bilbao owns 24 titles as well. This controversy exists because the 1902 Cup was won by Club Vizcaya, which was composed by players from Athletic Club and Bilbao FC, clubs that eventually fused into Athletic Bilbao.

Just like in other competitions, the trophy is only given permanently to the teams that have achieved certain records, otherwise the champion team is allowed to keep it only until the next season champion be defined. After returning the Cup the clubs can exhibit a copy of the original one.

To keep trophy permanently, the clubs must win it the tournament 3 consecutive seasons or 5 separated times. Until today, besides the one in current use, there are have been only 11 real trophies, which have been awarded to:

• 1 - Club Vizcaya: the first, for being the inaugural winners.
• 1 - Sevilla FC: Trofeo de Su Excelencia El Generalísimo (1939).
• 1 - Atlético Madrid: Copa del Generalísimo (1976).
• 1 - Real Madrid: consecutive winners in 1905,1906 & 1907.
• 3 - Athletic Bilbao: consecutive winners for three times (1914-1915-1916, 1930-31-1932 and 1943, 1944 & 1945).
• 4 - FC Barcelona: 3 as quintuple champion (1917 to 1928, 1954 to 1971 and 1977 to 1990) and 1 for 3 in a row (1951, 1952, 1953).

The Copa del Rey winner also obtains a promotion to the following season of the UEFA Cup and the Supercopa de España.

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