España Libre Cup: The Championsip

Levante did not start well. They were unable to open with a victory in Vallejo, which during this Cup would be Levante's home ground (after the agreement with Gimnástico to go hand in hand in this competition). A solid Gerona, full of young and promising players, played a very homogeneous game, with their midfield standing out. For the home side it was undoubtedly Nieto, who scored both goals, who stood out the most.

A blow to the table for Levante in the first derby played at Mestalla. With no respect for the leaders, who had just won in Sarriá, they overwhelmed Valencia, with Nieto once again scoring twice. And as El Mundo Deportivo said, there was already a revelation team: "We have to consider that Levante are also among the favourites to win the Copa del Presidente de la República".

El campeón de Cataluña también fue vapuleado por este soberbio Levante, que acabó la primera vuelta del “Torneo Copa España Libre” (tal y como lo denominó en su crónica El Mundo Deportivo) como líder indiscutible. La goleada levantina se benefició de la desgraciada actuación del meta españolista (Nieto consiguió otro tanto). Además, la gran defensa local hizo que el Español solo marcara de penalti.

Neither in the first leg nor in the return leg was Levante able to beat the team from Girona. And what's more, this time they had luck on their side because they deserved to lose. Goalkeeper Valero was by far the best of the Valencians. And although the Levantines went ahead twice through Gaspar Rubio and Martínez Catalá, it was only a mirage. Gerona sent a shot against the post and missed clear chances.

Valencia were once again the balm of Fierabrás for Levante. A balm of half a dozen goals, with a first half in Vallejo where the Levante steamroller already reached half-time with a 4-0 lead. "Gaspar Rubio played a brilliant game," noted El Mercantil. Levante overcame Valencia for the second time in a row.

The first and only Levantine defeat in this Copa España Libre group stage, where the Grao team have finished comfortably on top. After their win over Valencia and the mathematical qualification for the final, today's match only made sense for Espanyol who, despite their victory, have been left out of the decisive match. Their worse record against Valencia condemned them.

Levante have been the best in this tournament that has decided which two teams will play in the final of the Copa España Libre. Top scorer and lowest scorer, their superiority has been unquestionable. And it has been Valencia, his rival in the final, whom he has beaten most convincingly, beating them twice, with 10 goals for and 2 against. Curiously, the only team they did not beat was Gerona.

José García-Nieto Romero. That is the full name of the undisputed star of the 1937 Copa España Libre. Because Nieto not only went down in history for being the scorer of the goal in the final on 18 July, but also for being the top scorer in the previous league championship. A player who, paradoxically, came to Levante from Gimnástico, following the pact reached by the two clubs for the competition.