The Royal Society, as in the days of Arconada and Zamora

It is already a reality. Imanol Alguacil and his pupils have made history and a new cup title will be played in La Cartuja. A deed from another era, since Real Sociedad does not compete to win the Copa del Rey since it did in the 1986-87 season. Back then, John Benjamin Toshack directed a template of mythical names like that of Arconada, Zamora, Bakero or Lopez Ufarte. An unforgettable generation, which led the Royal to the top. Now the Odegaard, Oyarzabal, Merino and company they have in their boots the responsibility of writing their name in football books. Athletic or Granada will try to prevent it.

However, in case of success in the final, it would not be the first Cup that would go to the showcases of the Reale Arena. The generation of Arconada already celebrated a title, although he also had to live a failure. With the Santiago Bernabéu as a witness (1987-88), Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad for a goal to zero, thanks to a goal from Alexanko in the 60 '. By then, men like Blaugrana defended Zubizarreta, Schuster, Gary Lineker or the Wolf Carrasco and was in command Luis Aragones. After that, a conflict between the staff and the board led to the resignation of the president Josep Lluís Nuñez and the era of Dream team and of Johan Cruyff. Despite all the extra-sports setbacks, that Barça was able to overthrow the great realistic project.

A year earlier, in the 1986-87 season, the Royal Society lived one of the greatest successes in its history. It was in La Romareda, against Atlético de Madrid. The template was practically identical to that set forth above, but the result was diametrically opposite. In addition, he had an epic touch. López Ufarte ahead of Toshack at nine minutes, but Da Silva tied shortly after. With the goals of Txiki Begiristain and Rubio the extension was signed and subsequent penalties. Own Da Silva and Quique Ramos missed from eleven meters, while the Basque team kept the blood cold and transformed his four releases. Since that June 27, 1987, the Real does not know what it is to win a title. Of course, he has starred in other events such as reaching the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Black and white cups

They were two consecutive years reaching the final, in what could be a claim for so many seasons in tow in the KO tournament. In fact, its previous final dated from 1951, again with Barcelona as a rival, with Madrid as headquarters (Nuevo Chamartín) and a defeat for oblivion (3-0). At that time, the competition was known as the Generalissimo Cup and its decisive match brought together players of the stature of Kubala, José Caeiro or Emilio Aldecoa. As a curiosity, the changes were not allowed yet. Only the one of goalkeeper, because of the difficulty of a soccer player getting under sticks in case of injury. Thus, that final saw only two substitutions: Juan Velasco entered by Antoni Ramallets and Juan Bagur did the same for Ignacio Eizaguirre. Yes, they were all goalkeepers.

Destiny, surely, will not leave again (at least for now) a Barcelona – Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final. And less bad for realistic interests, since the four losses respond to face the blaugrana club in the decisive clash. This happened also in 1928, with great novelty. The regulation of the time forced tiebreaker matches and it was not in the first where everything was decided. In El Sardinero, on May 20, 1928, they tied one. Two days later, Kiriki's goal was useless; Piera tied and forced a third attempt. It cost to agree on a new date, but ended up meeting on June 29. Nothing could do the Basque team, which fell clearly (3-1). At 25 minutes, the electronic already reflected that marker, immovable until the end.

The Cup was known as the Spanish Championship and, in 1913, consisted of two parallel tournaments. The reason was that the clubs did not agree: one competition was organized by the Spanish Federation of Soccer Clubs in Madrid and, the other, the Spanish Union of Clubs in Barcelona. The first tournament was taken by Irún Racing; the second one, Barcelona. Again, the executioner of the Royal. Double game was played at the Camp del Carrer Industria. Both finished with tables: first, 2-2; then 0-0. Thus, on March 23, 1913 the 'replay' was played, with Blaugrana win by two goals to one. Berdié and Apolinario Rodríguez They were the protagonists.

O'Donnell attended the San Sebastián Cycling Club

In 1909, the Real Sociedad won the first Cup in its history. So much time has passed that I didn't even have that denomination. For all he was known as the San Sebastian Cycling Club and, to his fortune, he didn't see the faces with Barcelona. His opponent was the Spanish Madrid, with the O'Donnell Stadium as the venue. The capital team dominated the contest, but the Basques were able to seize their opportunities. It was played on April 8, under a strong storm and with low temperatures. The goals of McGuiness, Simmons and Sena were erected as the architects of the first and almost last Real Cup. Sheriff and his family already know the story. Now, they have to do it with La Cartuja as a witness and Athletic or Granada as possible rivals.

The Real Sociedad Cup finals