Valencia cf.
Valencia Club de Fútbol
Year of foundation: 1919
Club headquarters: Antigua Senda de Senent, 11. 46023.
Valencia
Telephone: +34 6 3372626
Fax : +34 6 3372335
Stadium: Mestalla
President: Jaime Ortí Ruíz
Club Secretary: Beatriz Dekgado Izquierdo
Coach: Rafael Benitez Maudes
Press Officer: Jordi Bruixola
Contact: Official site,
Email
History <Special thanks to Uefa>
History: Valencia CF
Valencia CF have long lived under the shadow of
Spain's big two, Real Madrid CF and Barcelona FC, but recent years have seen
the side emerge as one of the strongest Europe, as they proved by reaching two
consecutive UEFA Champions League finals in 1999/2000 and 2000/01.
Fifth championship
Unfortunately the southern Spanish team were beaten
both times but their determination to conquer European football was reinforced
in 2001/02 when, in coach Rafael Benítez's first season in charge, they
won their fifth Spanish championship.
Formed in a bar
The club, which has boasted world-class players
such as Mario Alberto Kempes, Alfredo Di Stefano, Romario, Santiago Cañizares
and Gaizka Mendieta, was founded in a bar in the city centre, playing at the
Algirós ground in the early years. As public interest grew after they
clinched their first regional championship in 1922, they moved to the Mestalla,
which opened in May 1923.
Into the top flight
When the Spanish league was launched in
1928, Valencia were in the second division, although it took just three years
to win promotion to the top flight. The club won their first Spanish Cup (six
by 2002) in 1941 and in 1942 their first league championship (five by 2002).Two
more titles were claimed in 1944 and 1947 but there were three consecutive cup
final losses between 1944 and 1946.
European success
The 1950s saw the Metsalla redeveloped and Valencia
added three more Spanish Cups to their roll of honour in 1949, 1954 and 1967.
The 1960s also brought maiden successes in Europe, the side winning the Inter-Cities
Fairs Cup in both 1962 (against FC Barcelona) and 1963 (against NK Dinamo Zagreb)
but had to wait until 1971 before they would again become Spanish champions.
After winning their fifth Spanish Cup in 1979, there was further success on
the European stage with a defeat of Arsenal FC on penalties to lift the UEFA
Cup Winners' Cup in 1980.
Double disappointment
More success eluded Valencia for much of the next
20 years and it was only by winning the Spanish Cup in 1999 that they again
had a trophy to hold. Hector Cúper's side then took off and in 1999/2000
in their first ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League they reached the
final, losing 3-0 to Real Madrid. Further disappointment came 12 months later
with another loss in the final - to FC Bayern München on penalties.