Sevilla FC: The Spanish Football Giants

Sevilla Fútbol Club, often simply known as Sevilla, is one of the oldest football clubs in Spain. The club was officially formed on January 25, 1890 by a group of young British workers from the Seville Waterworks Company and some Spanish friends ^1^. Initially intended to be a cricket team, they soon turned their attention to football - making them the first official football club in Spain.

The early years for Sevilla were challenging yet rewarding. The team won its first Copa del Rey trophy (the King's Cup) in 1935 after beating CE Sabadell FC in the final^2^. This victory laid down an important marker of success for a football club that had been struggling to make its mark since formation.

For many fans, the golden era of Sevilla began with their UEFA Cup wins in 2006 and 2007 under manager Juande Ramos^3^. Not only did these victories put Sevilla firmly on Europe's footballing map, but they also brought about an unprecedented period of success.

Legendary players such as Frédéric Kanouté became integral parts during this period^4^, helping guide Sevilla both domestically and on the European stage. Furthermore, Andrés Palop’s unforgettable saves during penalty shootouts have become legendary moments ingrained into every fan's memory.

Another defining moment for Sevilla came when Unai Emery took charge between 2013-16. Under his guidance, they secured three consecutive Europa League titles — a feat never achieved before or since.^5^

Sevilla’s main rival has always been Real Betis Balompié — another top-flight team based in Seville city.^6^ The matches between these two teams are referred to as the "Seville derby" or "El Gran Derbi," renowned for their intense and passionate atmosphere.

The rivalry dates back to 1915 when the first official match was played between them^7^. The animosity is deeply rooted in social, cultural, and political differences which make these matches immensely heated affairs.

The team’s home stadium — Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán — is one of the most iconic football venues in Spain.^8^ Opened on September 7, 1958, it has a capacity of around 44,000 spectators. Named after former club president Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán who championed its construction, it's known for generating an electric atmosphere that often provides Sevilla with a strong home advantage.

With around 40,000 season ticket holders^[9], Sevilla has a massive fan base not just in Spain but also across the globe. Most notable amongst its supporters are “Biris Norte” - an ultra group known for their vibrant tifos and constant chanting throughout matches[^10^].

Traditions at Sevilla range from players kissing the badge after scoring goals to fans singing their anthem ‘A las armas’ during tense moments in games[^11^]. These rituals contribute significantly towards creating a unique identity and sense of community within the club.

Top Ten Best Moments

1. Winning first Copa del Rey trophy (1935)
2. Back-to-back UEFA Cup wins (2006 & 2007)
3. Defeating Real Madrid by four goals to one at Santiago Bernabeu (2003)
4. Coming from behind to beat Liverpool FC in Europa League final (2016)
5. Winning six La Liga titles under manager Juande Ramos
6. Unai Emery leading Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League titles.
7. Frédéric Kanouté scoring the winning goal in UEFA Super Cup final against Barcelona (2006)
8. Andrés Palop’s heroic performance in penalty shootout against Real Betis to reach UEFA Cup quarterfinals (2007)
9. Winning another Europa League title under manager Julen Lopetegui (2020)
10. Demolishing rivals Real Betis by five goals to one during a league match at home stadium(2014)

^[9] :https://abcdezgz.blogia.com/upload/ext-widgets-misc-subscriptions-print-article.png ^[10] :https://eldesmarque.com/sevilla/sevilla-futbol-club/noticias-sfc/opinion-sfc/biris-norte-ultras-deporte-violencia-seguridad [^11^]: https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/opinion/2020/06/12/5ee35efce2704ef40d8b45a5.html