Football in Spain By Micheál Foley Jason Richardson Kian Crowley Saul Kenny

Introduction Football is the most popular sport in Spain. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (Real Federación Española de Fútbol) is the national governing body and it organises La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spain national football team, current champion of the FIFA World Cup. Modern football was introduced to Spain in the late 19th century by a combination of mostly British immigrant workers, visiting sailors and Spanish students coming from Britain. The oldest football club in Spain is Recreativo de Huelva, formed on December 23, 1889 by Dr. Mackey and British workers employed by the Rio Tinto Company. Although Gimnàstic de Tarragona was formed in 1886 and Sevilla FC in 1890, the clubs did not form an actual football team until 1914 and 1905, respectively. The first official football game played in Spain took place in Seville on March 8, 1890 at the Tablada Hippodrome. Recreativo de Huelva played against Sevilla FC, a team made up of workers from the Seville Water Works. With the exception of two Spanish players on the Huelva team, all the players on both teams were British. This is the reason why the team is called Sevilla FC (football club) and not Sevilla CF (club de fútbol, in Spanish correct way). The Seville team won 2-0.

Introduction In the Basque Country during the early 1890s, British shipyard workers and miners formed the Bilbao Football Club and Basque students returning from Britain founded the Athletic Club in This early British influence was reflected in the use of English names such as Recreation Club, Athletic Club and Football Club. Barcelona and Real Madrid are the most successful Spanish clubs, in both the national league and continental competitions. They have won a combined 13 European Cups/Champions League titles and were runners-up 3 times each. Real Madrid is the most successful in Europe, having won it a record 9 times and the UEFA Cup twice, while FC Barcelona was the only team to achieve a Sextuple, in the year In La Liga's 80-year history (excluding the 3 seasons that the league was suspended due to the civil war), Barça and Real Madrid have won 51 titles between them. Over the years, Spanish clubs have won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 7 times and UEFA Europa League 6 times. For this project we are going to look at four of the most popular teams in Spain. Atletico Madrid ValenciaBarcelona Real Madrid

FC Barcelona HISTORY FC Barcelona was formed on the 22nd October The founder of the club was Hans Kamper. In 1961 Barcelona were the first team to beat Real Madrid. FC Barcelonas motto is Mes que un club which means more than a club. FACTS Barcelona have won La Liga 21 times and have won the UEFA cup 3 times Their biggest signing was Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan for 69.5 Million Euros. UNICEF was the first sponsor on the jersey. The agreement was made on 14 th July STADIUM The stadium is called Camp Nou. It is the biggest stadium in Europe. It can hold up to 99,354 people. CREST The clubs original crest was a quarter diamond shaped crest topped by two branches, one of laurel tree and the other palm. PLAYERS Some of the best players in the world are on the team such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, David Villa and Andre Inista

FC Barcelona Photos Camp Nou Stadium Messi Xavi

Real Madrid HISTORY The club was formed in 1902 as Madrid football club. The word Real is Spanish for royal and was bestowed to the club in 1920 by King Alfonso XIII Real Madrid won its first league title in 1931 FACTS The full name of the club is Real Madrid Club de Futbol. Their nickname is Los Blancos. On the 13 th June 1943 Real Madrid beat Barcelona 11-1 in a cup game. The club purchased Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for 80 million Euros. In the season Real Madrid won the league for a record 32 nd time. STADIUM The stadium is called Estadio Santiago Bernabeu and was built in It is called after former chairman named Santiago Bernabeu. It can hold people CREST The current club crest (above) was designed in 2001 PLAYERS Some of their biggest players are Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Karim Benzema and Kaka

Real Madrid Photos Bernabeu Stadium Ronaldo Jose Mourinho (Manager)

Valencia CF HISTORY Valencia was formed on March 18 th The first presidents name was Octavio Milego Diaz and he was appointed by the toss of a coin. The club won its first league title in the season. FACTS One of the clubs nicknames is chotos (goats). Their most expensive player ever was Jaoquin Sanchez bought from Real Betis for 25 Million in Rafael Benitez was Valencias most successful manager winning 2 league titles and 1 UEFA within 3 years. The club has season ticket holders. STADIUM Valencia moved to its current stadium called Mestalla in Its capacity is 55,00 people CREST They have a bat as part of their club crest because bats are common in the area. PLAYERS Valencia's most famous player is David Villa now Barcelona

Valencia FC Photos

Atletico Madrid HISTORY The club was founded on 26 th April 1903 by three students. They won their first league title in the season and most recently in FACTS There has been 29 club presidents since the club began. The first president was Enrique Allende in 1903 and the current president is Enrique Cerezo. Athletico Madrid have not beaten Real Madrid since The stripes on the jersey used to be blue and white and were changed in 1911 to red and white STADIUM The stadium is called Vicente Calderon and holds people. They are due to move to a new stadium in 2015 CREST The current club crest (above) was designed in 1986 PLAYERS Atleticos most famous ex player is Fernando Torres of Chelsea

Atletico Madrid Photos