The Copa de la España Libre 1937 (Free Spain Cup), also referred to as the Copa de la España Libre – Trofeo Presidente de la República 1937, was a football competition played in the Republican area of Spain during the Spanish Civil War. The competition, played out in June and July 1937, was won by Levante FC.
History It was originally intended that the top four teams from the Mediterranean League would enter the competition, but FC Barcelona opted instead to tour Mexico and the United States. As a result, Levante FC, who had finished fifth in the league, took their place. The other three teams to enter were Valencia CF, CE Espanyol and Girona FC. The first stage of the competition was played as a mini-league with the top two teams, Levante and Valencia, then qualifying for the final.Spain - Copa de España Libre 1937, RSSSF
For seventy years Levante unsuccessfully claimed this competition was the equivalent the Copa del Rey.Ball, Phil (2003). Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football From 2007, the Congress of Deputies urged the Royal Spanish Football Federation to recognise it;www.elpais.comLa FEF no reconocerá al Barça la Liga del año 37 on 25 March 2023, the RFEF recognised it, but not as a Copa del Rey.
Group Stage Table Teams Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA PtsLevante FC63211898Valencia FC622212136CE Espanyol630312166Girona FC604211154
Final
GK José Valero DF Vicente Olivares DF Ernesto Calpe MF Agustín Santateresa Dolz MF Andrés Calero MF José Rubio FW Puig II FW José García-Nieto FW Vicente Martínez FW Gaspar Rubio FW FraisónManager: Puig I
GK Antolín DF Manuel Alepuz DF Juan Ramón MF Inocencio Bertolín MF Carlos Iturraspe MF Arín Maguregui FW Jaime Doménech FW Severiano Goiburu FW José Vilanova FW Amadeo Ibáñez FW José RichartManager: Andrés Balsa
Copa de la España Libre 1937 WinnersLevante FC1st Title
References