2004 Copa del Rey Juvenil: Espanyol Claims Victory
The Copa del Rey Juvenil is a prestigious youth football competition in Spain, designed to showcase the finest emerging talents in the country. The 2004 edition marked the 54th staging of this historic tournament, bringing together 16 of the most promising youth squads to compete for the title.
Spanning from May 16 to June 26, 2004, the tournament was characterized by high-scoring encounters and intense competition, ultimately culminating in a thrilling final that determined the season's champion.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Champions: Espanyol
- Runners-up: Osasuna
- Total Matches Played: 29
- Total Goals Scored: 111
- Average Goals Per Match: 3.83
- Tournament Duration: May 16, 2004 – June 26, 2004
Tournament Progression
The First Round
The competition began with a knockout stage featuring 16 teams. This round saw several high-scoring affairs, most notably FC Barcelona's dominant 8–0 aggregate victory over Sevilla. Other notable results included Real Madrid advancing past Betis with a 5–2 aggregate score and Espanyol securing their place in the next round by defeating Mallorca 4–2 on aggregate.
Quarterfinals and Semifinals
As the field narrowed, the intensity increased. In the quarterfinals, Espanyol displayed immense strength by defeating Athletic Bilbao 6–4 on aggregate, despite a heavy loss in the second leg. FC Barcelona continued their momentum by overcoming Real Sociedad 4–1, while Osasuna and Real Madrid also secured their spots in the final four.
The semifinals set the stage for the grand finale. Espanyol edged out Real Madrid with a 4–3 aggregate victory. Meanwhile, Osasuna advanced past FC Barcelona after a tightly contested 4–4 aggregate draw, winning via the tie-breaking criteria.
The Grand Final
The final took place on June 26, 2004, at 18:30. Espanyol faced off against Osasuna in a match that lived up to the tournament's high-scoring reputation. Espanyol emerged victorious with a 3–2 win to claim the trophy.
The scoring for Espanyol was provided by Albert Yagüe (39'), Iray Barreto (67'), and Joan Tomàs (88'). Osasuna's goals came from an own goal by Javi Chica (47') and a penalty converted by Pablo Erice (54'). The match was officiated by referee Castillo Estévez.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Final Match Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | June 26, 2004 |
| Winner | Espanyol (3) |
| Runner-up | Osasuna (2) |
| Espanyol Manager | Ángel Pedraza |
| Osasuna Manager | Cuco Ziganda |
| Referee | Castillo Estévez |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2004 Copa del Rey Juvenil?
Espanyol won the tournament, defeating Osasuna 3–2 in the final match.
How many goals were scored in total during the tournament?
A total of 111 goals were scored across 29 matches, averaging approximately 3.83 goals per game.
Which team had the most dominant victory in the first round?
FC Barcelona had the most dominant performance in the first round, defeating Sevilla with an aggregate score of 8–0.
Who were the managers of the two finalists?
Espanyol was managed by Ángel Pedraza, and Osasuna was managed by Cuco Ziganda.
When did the 2004 tournament take place?
The competition began on May 16, 2004, and concluded with the final on June 26, 2004.