RCD Espanyol

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Founded by Catalans
In 1900 football was barely unknown in the Catalan territories. Ángel Rodríguez Ruiz, student of the University of Barcelona, and that had continued thoroughly the evolution of this sport, proposes to his partners of faculty, to put it into practice in the city.

The debut of the formation was on 20th January 1901 as the Club Espanyol de Football (Spanish Football Club), equipped with white T-shirt and blue trousers. In 1905, due to a serious illness of the president, José Maria Miro Trepat, there was gap of power and disappearance of the club until 1909, when the captain of the team Emilio Sampere returned as Sports Spanish Club.

Thus the (Sociedad Española de Football) Spanish Society of Football was born on October 28. Presided by his founder, it was characterised by the fact that all the players were Spanish, the big majority being Catalans, of here the baptism name, differing this way from the rival, the FC Barcelona (FCB founded by the Swiss Johannes Gamper one year earlier), and that was characterising to align with the quantity of foreign players.

The Colours
Yellow was the original colour of the club, for simple reason that a piece of material was given as a gift by one of the first members, so that the uniforms were made.

Further on, the Spanish Society of Football fuses with the components of the Santanach gymnasium. Fruit of that union was born as the Spanish Club of Football and a few new colours for its clothing: white T-shirt and blue trousers.

In 1909 the entity happened to be named a Club Deportivo Espanyol (Sports Spanish Club), showing the current colours of blue and white, those that Admiral Roger de Llúria was sporting, Almogavar, emblematic figure of the history of Catalonia.

Pioneer Club
Historical club and of the most ancient of Spain, the Espanyol Club achieved its first big conquest in 1903 (Glass Macaya). In May, 1902 the club takes part in the first championship of Spain.

In 1912 King Alfonso XIII grants the title of Real (Royal) and the use of the Crown that since then appears in the official shield. From this moment on, it would happen to be called a Royal Sports Spanish Club.

Four National Titles
When in '29 the First National Championship of League was inaugurated, Espanyol is one of the founding clubs, obtaining, also, the first official goal in that competition.

The same year, the blue and white team is proclaimed a Campeón de la Copa de SM el Rey (Champion of the Cup of SM the King), title (Real Madrid 1 – Espanyol 2).

Confirmed the title (Copa del Generalísimo – Cup of the General) in '40, in the Santiago Bernabeu (Valencia 1 – Espanyol 3).

The third Cup could not come at a better moment; on May 27 of '00, in full celebration of the centenary of the Club and after sixty long years of waiting. It was in Valencia, in the Stadium of Mestalla, (Espanyol 2 – Athletic of Madrid 1).

The year 2006, the fourth cup was gained in the Bernabeu before Zaragoza (4-1).

Europe
On a global scale, the biggest recognition is obtained by the sub-championship of the UEFA, by Bayer Leverkusen (3-0 in house and 0-3 out), decided in favor of the Germans for the penalties.

Cups of Catalunya
1994/5 (Espanyol 3 – Palamós 1)
1995/6 (Espanyol 5 – Barcelona 1)
1998/9 (Espanyol 2 – Lleida 1)
2005/6 (Espanyol 1 - Barcelona 0).

Great Players
Worthy of a mention, between the large lists of players, is the worldwide famous goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora, an authentic legend of football.

Between the Argentinean players and trainers that have marked the history of the club, we mention Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ladislao Kubala (who played together in the club), Jorge Griffa, Roberto Martínez, Juan Eduardo Esnaider, Mauricio Pochettino, Pablo Cavallero, Pablo Rotchen, Federico Domínguez, Miguel Ángel Brindisi and Marcelo Bielsa, Mauro Navas, Martín Posse and Maxi Rodríguez.

From the Spaniards, the standouts are Zamora, Solsona, José Luis Camacho, Javier Clemente and Paco Flores.

The native of Cameroon, N'Kono, was an emblem of the passion during 80's, just as the compatriot Carlos Mamen, also goalkeeper, who keeps on being linked to the club.

Reserves
One of the special characteristics of the Espanyol was to count on a very important reserve group, normally formed by young Catalans. From the schools and affiliates there have been names, amongst others, such as Zamora, Solsona, Tamudo, Soldevilla, Lopo, David García or Morales.

Sarriá, Muntjuïc, Sant Adrià, Cornellá
The current Espanyol commenced playing their games in a great esplanade, in the Sagrada Familia.

Since '23 till the end of '97, the Sarrià Stadium, popularly known as "Can Ràbia" or "La Bombonera", was the feud of the team.

Due to economic problems, the club was obliged to sell the properties of Sarrià to a real estate and in '97 they start a new phase in the Olympic Stadium of Montjuïc.

The great tartan arena between field and steps distanced the public from the players and made the heat less, which characterised Sarrià.

The construction of the modern stadium of Cornellà promised to relive the spirit and atmosphere of the 1997 period.

Parakeets: the social mass
The Espanyol counts with a great passion, unconditional and renown in the whole of Spain. 25,000 parakeets were displaced in Valencia to see their team win the Cup. In 2006, 27,000 aficionados were displaced in Madrid for another cup.

In shade for the media power and financial of the rival FCB, the Espanyol counts with a passion and friendliness in Catalonia much bigger than it feigns.

Historical Dates
28/nov 1900: Ángel Rodríguez, together with his fellow pupils of the University of Barcelona, founded the RDC Espanyol of Barcelona.

13/may 1902: The Espanyol player Ponz marks the first goal of the History of the Cup of the King.

1903: Gains the first official title: The Macaya Cup.

25/apr 1912: The King Alfonso XIII concedes the Entity of the title of Royal and the use of the Crown that figures in a coat of arms.

The Sarrià Stadium is inaugurated, which was bought in property in 50's.

03/feb 1929: The Espanyol wins its first Cup of King (Espanyol 2, Real Madrid 1).

10/feb 1929: The Espanyol player "Pitus" Prats scorese the first goal of the history of the league.

30/jun 1940: The entity awards the second Cup (Espanyol 3, Valencia 1).

18/may 1988: Gains the Sub-championship of the UEFA Cup.

29/jun 1992: The Club passes to be Sociedad Anónima Deportiva (Sports Corporation) – RCD Espanyol, SAD.

1997: Sarrià is sold and the Entity is transferred to the Olympic Stadium.

14/nov 1999: The year of the Centenary is inaugurated with one spectacular ceremony in the Olympic Stadium.

27/may 2000: The Espanyol, Champion of the Cup of the King for the third time in history, in Valencia.

21/apr 2006: Campeón Champion of Europe for the first time, in Madrid.

16/may 2007: Finalist of the UEFA Cup with the Seville, conquered in the penalties, after a tie 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and 2-2 at 120 minutes, in Glasgow, Scotland. [photos]

Records
Periods in first: 69
Major goals: 8-0 a la Real Sociedad
Major winning phase: 8 games (record in Spain)
Major phase without losing: 14 games
Unbeaten minutes: 496 minutes (N'Kono).

Other Forms
Female football
Basketball
Rugby