Copa del Rey Final 1908 vs Español

Lore & Background

Athletic Bilbao faced Español in the final. The match was a single-match final, as all Copa del Rey finals have been since the first final between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid.

In Their Own Story

The sun beat down on the grassy expanse of the Campo de la Lancha as the two teams lined up. The air was thick with anticipation, not just from the spectators but from the players themselves, who knew they were stepping into history. As the referee blew the whistle, the roar of the crowd erupted, a sound that would echo through the annals of Athletic Bilbao's legacy.

Reader's Guide

The final was part of the annual knockout competition organised by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, open to Primera and Segunda División teams plus some qualifiers from lower levels.

Did You Know?

• The 1908 final was played at the Hipódromo de la Castellana, not Campo de O'Donnell.
• The date of the final was April 26, not June 21 as previously recorded.