What remained from the Spanish season was the cup final – Barcelona and Sporting Gijon were to compete for Copa Del Rey. The finalists met in Madrid on June 18. Of course, there was a lot at stake – Sporting Gijon was good at that time and desperately wanted to win. Barcelona, coming from disappointing season, was ambitious to win at least this trophy – not that Barca ever shied away from winning, but wounded pride made them more eager. In reality, Barcelona was the stronger team and eventually prevailed 3-1 – perhaps they crushed tough Gijon at the very end of the first half, when Quini, the former great star of Gijon, scored in 44th minute, but for Barcelona. Ironic may be, but he was playing for Barca. Everything was settled early in the second half – Gijon equalized in the 5th minute, thanks to Maceda, but Barcelona quiackly responded with 2 more goals – Quini scored his second goal in the 58th minute, and in the 66th Esteban made it unreachable 3-1.
One may feel sorry for Sporting Gijon – they were good, they were brave, they did their best, but there was difference in class – unfortunately, the fate of smaller clubs is hardly ever to win anything, except accidentally.
Barcelona, lead by excellent Schuster – the best player at the final – won their 19th Spanish Cup. Not bad, but most importantly – they saved the season. Measly championship, but at least Copa Del Rey was theirs – not empty handed, like Real Madird. And winning in Madrid! True, not at the stadium of the arch-enemy, but at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon, yet still in Madird, right in the face of Real. Swet, yet, the problem was the future.