Overview of \"Las Palmas\"

Las Palmas is a team that cannot be compared with others. Founded in 1949, this club from the Canary Islands doesn't have dozens of trophies, but it does have something money can't buy – unique style, character and loyal fans.

Here they always bet on technical football, speed and combination game. It was on this island that such talents as Pedri grew up. And although the team did not always perform in La Liga, it always remained the symbol of Canarian football.

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\"Las Palmas is proof that real football is not born in the center, but where it is most loved.\"
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History of \"Las Palmas\"

Canary Islands is not just rest, beaches and volcanoes. They love football here, but in the 40s local teams could not break into the all-Spanish arena. Therefore, in 1949 they decided to do something radical – five clubs united into one. This is how \"Las Palmas\" appeared.

The new club immediately began its way up. Already in 1951 he played in the Primera, which became a record for a rookie. The first decades were unstable - departures, returns, searching for one's own style. But in the 60s everything changed.

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\"The 1968/69 season is a golden page in the club's history. Las Palmas finished second in La Liga, behind only Real Madrid.\"
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It was the moment when the team from the islands showed all of Spain that it could challenge the giants.

In the 1970s, the team made a statement once again, reaching the final of the Spanish Cup (1978), where they lost to Barcelona. But after that, the decline began. In the 80s and 90s, the club spent more time in the lower leagues than in the Primera.

A new rise began in 2015 when Las Palmas returned to La Liga. Three seasons - and relegation. But in 2023 the team returned to the elite again. Because this team never gives up.

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Las Palmas Stadium

Home arena of \"Las Palmas\" – \"Gran Canaria\", the largest stadium of the Canary Islands. Opened in 2003, it can accommodate more than 32 thousand fans.

But old fans remember Estadio Insular – small, squeezed in the middle of city streets, where the stands almost hung over the field. Many legends were created there, and many still believe that it was where the team played its best.

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\"However, \"Gran Canaria\" also has its own magic. When the stands are full and the fans create a wall of noise, opponents are uncomfortable here.\"
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The atmosphere is what makes this stadium special.

Las Palmas Achievements

Las Palmas is not a club that wins trophies. He lives by other values – struggle, passion, beautiful game. But there are moments in his history that will forever remain a part of Spanish football:

2nd place in La Liga (1968/69) – a sensation that no one expected.
Final of the Spanish Cup (1977/78) – a great battle against \"Barcelona\".
Victory over \"Barcelona\" 5:1 (1959) – a match that shocked the whole country.
3:3 with \"Real\" at \"Bernabeu\" (2017) - a meeting that showed that \"Las Palmas\" are not afraid of anyone.

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Famous players of \"Las Palmas\"

Dozens of talented footballers played for Las Palmas, but there are those who will never be forgotten:

Tonio Gonzalez is the symbol of the 60s team, when the club was fighting for the title.
Kyril Dvornyk is an attacker who brought many big victories.
Gabriel Mendes is a club legend who always fought to the end.
Honathan Vieira is a modern leader who has returned more than once to help the team.
Pedri is the most famous member of the club in recent years, who now shines in \"Barcelona\".

Interesting facts about \"Las Palmas\"

The only La Liga club based on the islands – no other Primera team is thousands of kilometers away from Spain.
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Always an attacking game – regardless of the opponent, Las Palmas always try to play beautifully.
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Victory over \"Barca\" 5:1 is a result that is still remembered in the Canaries.
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Pedri – a gift to world football – the most talented member of the club, who is now the star of Spain.
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\"Las Palmas reminds us that football is not only about trophies, but also about dreams, character and dedication to your style.\"
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It is worth noting that Las Palmas remains a unique phenomenon in Spanish football, proving that geographical distance cannot become an obstacle for big ambitions. Will the team be able to establish themselves in La Liga and repeat the glory of the 60s? One thing can be said for sure - the spirit of the Canary Islands and the philosophy of the beautiful game make Las Palmas a special place where tradition meets talent and island character helps to create sensations against the strongest opponents. This is a team that proves that real football can thrive wherever there is passion and belief.

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Officially titled \"Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey\" (Championship of Spain–His Majesty the King's Cup), it represents the highest level of cup competition in the Spanish football system. The Copa del Rey football tournament stands as a cornerstone of Spanish sporting culture, attracting millions of viewers both domestically and internationally. With its rich history and tradition of dramatic matches, the Copa del Rey statistics demonstrate its enduring appeal in the football world, often producing unexpected results and memorable encounters between teams from different tiers of Spanish football.\n\n## History\n\nThe Copa del Rey was **established in 1903**, predating La Liga (Spain's top-flight league) by 25 years. The competition was initially created to determine Spain's national football champion before the establishment of a league system. Throughout its existence, the tournament's name has reflected Spain's political landscape, being renamed the \"Copa del Presidente de la República\" during the Second Spanish Republic (1932-1936) and \"Copa del Generalísimo\" during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1976), before reverting to its current name after the restoration of the monarchy in 1976.\n\nThe Copa del Rey creation coincided with Spain's growing interest in football at the turn of the 20th century. Its development has seen numerous format changes, transitioning from a simple knockout competition among a handful of clubs to today's extensive tournament involving teams from multiple divisions. The Copa del Rey history has been graced by legendary Spanish footballers including Telmo Zarra, Alfredo Di Stéfano, László Kubala, and in more recent times, stars like Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos, all of whom have left their mark on this prestigious competition.\n\n## Competition Format\n\nThe Copa del Rey format operates as a **single-elimination knockout tournament** that brings together clubs from various levels of Spanish football, including La Liga (first division), Segunda División (second division), and lower regional leagues. Following significant reforms implemented in the 2019-20 season, the Copa del Rey rules now stipulate that most matches are decided in single-leg ties, with lower-division clubs typically hosting games against higher-tier opponents, adding to the potential for surprising upsets.\n\nOnly the semi-finals maintain a two-legged format, while the final is contested at a predetermined neutral venue, currently the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The Copa del Rey tournament awards the winner not only the prestigious trophy but also qualification for the UEFA Europa League (unless already qualified through league position) and a place in the Supercopa de España alongside the Copa runner-up and the top two La Liga finishers.\n\n## Famous Teams\n\nThree clubs have dominated the Copa del Rey teams landscape throughout its history. **FC Barcelona** stands as the most successful club with 32 titles, their most recent triumph coming in 2025. The Catalan giants have particularly excelled in the competition during recent decades, cementing their status as Copa del Rey winners with remarkable consistency.\n\n**Athletic Bilbao** holds a special place in Copa del Rey clubs history with 24 titles, including their victory in the 2024 edition. The Basque side maintains a unique policy of fielding only players of Basque origin or formation, making their success in this national competition particularly noteworthy.\n\n**Real Madrid** completes the triumvirate of most successful teams with 20 titles. The historical rivalry between \"Barcelona\" and \"Real Madrid\" has produced some of the most memorable Copa del Rey finals, with these \"El Clásico\" encounters generating intense interest beyond Spain's borders.\n\nOther significant clubs in the competition's history include \"Atlético Madrid\", \"Valencia\", and \"Zaragoza\", each having secured multiple titles and contributed to the rich tapestry of Copa del Rey history.\n\n## Statistics and Records\n\nThe Copa del Rey records are largely dominated by Barcelona's achievements, with their 32 championships standing as the benchmark for success. Athletic Bilbao's 24 titles place them second in the all-time list, a remarkable achievement considering they haven't always competed in the top tier of Spanish football.\n\nIn terms of individual Copa del Rey statistics, Lionel Messi holds numerous records from his time at Barcelona, including most finals scored in and most goals in the competition by a single player in the modern era. The tournament has witnessed incredible scoring feats, dramatic comebacks, and exceptional performances that have entered Spanish football folklore.\n\nOne notable Copa del Rey players record belongs to goalkeeper José Ramón Esnaola of \"Real Betis\", who remarkably scored the equalizing goal in the 1977 final against \"Athletic Bilbao\" before his team went on to win in the penalty shootout—an extremely rare occurrence for a goalkeeper.\n\n## Current State\n\nThe Copa del Rey season typically runs alongside the league campaign, commencing in the early autumn and concluding with the final in spring. The current format involves over 120 teams from across the Spanish football pyramid, making it one of the most inclusive national cup competitions in Europe.\n\nToday, the Copa del Rey maintains its prestige as a coveted trophy in Spanish football, with clubs from La Liga dominating the latter stages but occasionally facing stern challenges from lower-division sides. The competition receives extensive media coverage throughout Spain and has growing international viewership, particularly during the later rounds when the country's football powerhouses clash.\n\nThe Copa del Rey overview in recent years shows a competition that continues to evolve while preserving its historical significance. The tournament's current format, with its emphasis on giving smaller clubs home advantage against top-tier opponents, has reinvigorated interest and created more opportunities for memorable upsets.\n\n## Interesting Facts\n\nThe Copa del Rey interesting history includes the fact that the trophy has undergone 12 different designs throughout its existence. According to competition rules, clubs can permanently keep a trophy if they win three consecutive titles or five titles in total, leading to multiple versions of the cup being created over the decades.\n\nOne of the most surprising Copa del Rey facts involves \"Real Madrid Castilla\" (Real Madrid's reserve team), which remarkably reached the final in 1980, ultimately losing to their senior team. Reserve teams were permitted to participate until the 1990-91 season.\n\nThe Copa del Rey stories of unexpected victories by underdogs have become legendary in Spanish football. Perhaps the most famous upset occurred in 2002 when \"Deportivo La Coruña\" overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit against \"Real Madrid\" to win 5-4 on aggregate in what became known as the \"Centenariazo\" (ruining Real Madrid's centenary celebrations).\n\nAnother Copa del Rey interesting tradition is the presentation of the trophy by the Spanish monarch, underscoring the competition's royal connection and prestigious standing in Spanish sporting culture.\n\nOften compared to England's FA Cup and Italy's Coppa Italia in terms of format and prestige, the Copa del Rey continues to occupy a special place in Spanish football, offering clubs of all sizes the chance to make history and claim one of the sport's oldest and most respected trophies.","active":true,"short_code":null,"category":2,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192fb8b-ea7b-7004-87cb-6f47508379a7","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

Copa del Rey: Spain's Prestigious Knockout Tournament

Introduction

The Copa del Rey is Spain's premier knockout football cup competition and the oldest tournament in Spanish football. Officially titled \"Campeonato de España–Copa de Su Majestad el Rey\" (Championship of Spain–His Majesty the King's Cup), it represents the highest level of cup competition in the Spanish football system. The Copa del Rey football tournament stands as a cornerstone of Spanish sporting culture, attracting millions of viewers both domestically and internationally. With its rich history and tradition of dramatic matches, the Copa del Rey statistics demonstrate its enduring appeal in the football world, often producing unexpected results and memorable encounters between teams from different tiers of Spanish football.

History

The Copa del Rey was established in 1903, predating La Liga (Spain's top-flight league) by 25 years. The competition was initially created to determine Spain's national football champion before the establishment of a league system. Throughout its existence, the tournament's name has reflected Spain's political landscape, being renamed the \"Copa del Presidente de la República\" during the Second Spanish Republic (1932-1936) and \"Copa del Generalísimo\" during Franco's dictatorship (1939-1976), before reverting to its current name after the restoration of the monarchy in 1976.

The Copa del Rey creation coincided with Spain's growing interest in football at the turn of the 20th century. Its development has seen numerous format changes, transitioning from a simple knockout competition among a handful of clubs to today's extensive tournament involving teams from multiple divisions. The Copa del Rey history has been graced by legendary Spanish footballers including Telmo Zarra, Alfredo Di Stéfano, László Kubala, and in more recent times, stars like Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos, all of whom have left their mark on this prestigious competition.

Competition Format

The Copa del Rey format operates as a single-elimination knockout tournament that brings together clubs from various levels of Spanish football, including La Liga (first division), Segunda División (second division), and lower regional leagues. Following significant reforms implemented in the 2019-20 season, the Copa del Rey rules now stipulate that most matches are decided in single-leg ties, with lower-division clubs typically hosting games against higher-tier opponents, adding to the potential for surprising upsets.

Only the semi-finals maintain a two-legged format, while the final is contested at a predetermined neutral venue, currently the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The Copa del Rey tournament awards the winner not only the prestigious trophy but also qualification for the UEFA Europa League (unless already qualified through league position) and a place in the Supercopa de España alongside the Copa runner-up and the top two La Liga finishers.

Famous Teams

Three clubs have dominated the Copa del Rey teams landscape throughout its history. FC Barcelona stands as the most successful club with 32 titles, their most recent triumph coming in 2025. The Catalan giants have particularly excelled in the competition during recent decades, cementing their status as Copa del Rey winners with remarkable consistency.

Athletic Bilbao holds a special place in Copa del Rey clubs history with 24 titles, including their victory in the 2024 edition. The Basque side maintains a unique policy of fielding only players of Basque origin or formation, making their success in this national competition particularly noteworthy.

Real Madrid completes the triumvirate of most successful teams with 20 titles. The historical rivalry between \"Barcelona\" and \"Real Madrid\" has produced some of the most memorable Copa del Rey finals, with these \"El Clásico\" encounters generating intense interest beyond Spain's borders.

Other significant clubs in the competition's history include \"Atlético Madrid\", \"Valencia\", and \"Zaragoza\", each having secured multiple titles and contributed to the rich tapestry of Copa del Rey history.

Statistics and Records

The Copa del Rey records are largely dominated by Barcelona's achievements, with their 32 championships standing as the benchmark for success. Athletic Bilbao's 24 titles place them second in the all-time list, a remarkable achievement considering they haven't always competed in the top tier of Spanish football.

In terms of individual Copa del Rey statistics, Lionel Messi holds numerous records from his time at Barcelona, including most finals scored in and most goals in the competition by a single player in the modern era. The tournament has witnessed incredible scoring feats, dramatic comebacks, and exceptional performances that have entered Spanish football folklore.

One notable Copa del Rey players record belongs to goalkeeper José Ramón Esnaola of \"Real Betis\", who remarkably scored the equalizing goal in the 1977 final against \"Athletic Bilbao\" before his team went on to win in the penalty shootout—an extremely rare occurrence for a goalkeeper.

Current State

The Copa del Rey season typically runs alongside the league campaign, commencing in the early autumn and concluding with the final in spring. The current format involves over 120 teams from across the Spanish football pyramid, making it one of the most inclusive national cup competitions in Europe.

Today, the Copa del Rey maintains its prestige as a coveted trophy in Spanish football, with clubs from La Liga dominating the latter stages but occasionally facing stern challenges from lower-division sides. The competition receives extensive media coverage throughout Spain and has growing international viewership, particularly during the later rounds when the country's football powerhouses clash.

The Copa del Rey overview in recent years shows a competition that continues to evolve while preserving its historical significance. The tournament's current format, with its emphasis on giving smaller clubs home advantage against top-tier opponents, has reinvigorated interest and created more opportunities for memorable upsets.

Interesting Facts

The Copa del Rey interesting history includes the fact that the trophy has undergone 12 different designs throughout its existence. According to competition rules, clubs can permanently keep a trophy if they win three consecutive titles or five titles in total, leading to multiple versions of the cup being created over the decades.

One of the most surprising Copa del Rey facts involves \"Real Madrid Castilla\" (Real Madrid's reserve team), which remarkably reached the final in 1980, ultimately losing to their senior team. Reserve teams were permitted to participate until the 1990-91 season.

The Copa del Rey stories of unexpected victories by underdogs have become legendary in Spanish football. Perhaps the most famous upset occurred in 2002 when \"Deportivo La Coruña\" overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit against \"Real Madrid\" to win 5-4 on aggregate in what became known as the \"Centenariazo\" (ruining Real Madrid's centenary celebrations).

Another Copa del Rey interesting tradition is the presentation of the trophy by the Spanish monarch, underscoring the competition's royal connection and prestigious standing in Spanish sporting culture.

Often compared to England's FA Cup and Italy's Coppa Italia in terms of format and prestige, the Copa del Rey continues to occupy a special place in Spanish football, offering clubs of all sizes the chance to make history and claim one of the sport's oldest and most respected trophies.

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