Mediterranean League

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The Mediterranean League, also referred to as the Lliga Mediterranean (Catalan), the Liga Mediterránea (Spanish) or La Liga del Mediterráneo, was a football league played in the Republican area of Spain during the Spanish Civil War. The league, played out in early 1937, was won by FC Barcelona. Clubs from the league also competed in a cup competition, the Copa de la España Libre also known as the Free Spain Cup. This was won by Levante FC. By 1938 the Republican area was divided and a second Mediterranean League season proved impossible to organise. However an alternative Lliga Catalana, also won by FC Barcelona, was arranged.

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[edit] Regional Leagues

The Spanish Civil War, which began in July 1936, left Spain divided. The Nationalists took most of the northwest, apart from Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country and Andalucia. This saw several of the country’s top clubs, including Sevilla FC, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao, Celta de Vigo and Deportivo de La Coruña, under the control of Franco.

The Republicans controlled three major cities - Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia - and much of the surrounding countryside. They also controlled much of the Levante coast. As a result of this divide, La Liga was suspended. However during late 1936, some regional leagues continued to be organised in the Republican areas. The Campeonato Levante featured teams from Valencia and Murcia. Participating teams included Valencia FC, Levante FC, Gimnàstico FC, Hércules CF, Murcia FC and FC Cartagena. Valencia FC emerged as champions with 13 points.

The Campionat de Catalunya was also contested between CE Espanyol, FC Barcelona, Girona FC, ES Granollers, CE Sabadell and CF Badalona. Both Madrid CF and Athletic Madrid had applied to join the Campionat de Catalunya, but their application was rejected by FC Barcelona. CE Espanyol emerged as champions with 14 points.

[edit] The Mediterranean League

The Republican civil authorities also organised the Mediterranean League as an alternative to La Liga. It was intended to feature all twelve teams from both the Campeonato Levante and the Campionat de Catalunya. However Hércules CF, Murcia FC and FC Cartagena had to withdraw because their towns were bombarded. To even the balance between teams from Catalonia and Levante, CE Sabadell and FC Badalona were also withdrawn and Atlético Castellón were invited to participate as the fourth Levante club.

Despite Madrid being in the Republican area, neither Madrid CF or Athletic Madrid entered the Mediterranean League. The reasons for this are debatable. Their non-participation has being blamed both on internal divisions within the Republican ranks and the fact that Madrid remained closer to the frontline then either Barcelona or Valencia. The league was contested between January and May 1937. After 14 games FC Barcelona, with a team coached by Patrick O'Connell and featuring Domènec Balmanya and Josep Escolà, emerged as champions. CE Espanyol finished as runners-up and Girona FC, coached by Francisco Bru finished third. Valencia FC, who featured Lecue of Madrid CF as a guest player in their last two games, finished fourth and Levante FC finished fifth.

[edit] Final Table

Teams Played Won Drawn Lost GF Ga Pts
FC Barcelona 14 7 6 1 27 15 20
CE Espanyol 14 8 3 3 30 20 19
Girona FC 14 6 5 3 27 18 17
Valencia FC 14 7 3 4 32 23 17
Levante FC 14 5 6 3 30 18 16
Gimnàstico FC 14 3 4 7 18 31 10
ES Granollers 14 2 4 8 17 36 8
Atlético Castellón 14 0 5 9 7 27 5

[edit] Copa de la España Libre

In July 1937 teams from the Mediterranean League competed in a cup competition known as the Copa de España Libre. It has also been known as the Trofeo Presidente de la República or the Copa de la República. It was originally intended that the top four teams from the league would enter the cup, but FC Barcelona opted to tour Mexico and the United States. As a result Levante UD took their place. The first round of the competition was a mini-league with the top two teams, Levante UD and Valencia CF, then qualifying for the final. On July 18 1937 Levante UD beat their city rivals 1-0 at the Montjuïc.

[edit] Group Stage Table

Teams Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA Pts
Levant FC 6 3 2 1 18 9 8
Valencia FC 6 2 2 2 12 13 6
CE Espanyol 6 3 0 3 12 16 6
Girona FC 6 0 4 2 11 15 4

[edit] Lliga Catalana

By the latter half of 1937 and early 1938 the war was going against the Republicans. In November 1937 their capital was transferred from Valencia to Barcelona and after the Battle of Teruel the Republican area was spilt in two. In football terms this meant that a second Mediterranean League was impossible as clubs from the Levante were unable to enter. Instead a Lliga Catalana, featuring just Catalan teams was organised. The competition was never completed due to disruption from the war but the title was subsequently awarded to FC Barcelona. The Barça coach Patrick O'Connell had returned from the tour of Mexico and the United States with only four players. Despite this FC Barcelona won both the Lliga Catalana and the Campionat de Catalunya.

[edit] Table



Teams Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA Pts
FC Barcelona 17 14 1 2 86 26 29
UE Sants 16 10 3 3 66 37 23
L'Avenç del Sport 16 8 2 6 39 33 18
CD Espanyol 16 6 6 4 44 44 18
CE Europa 16 7 3 6 47 39 17
FC Martinenc 16 7 2 7 39 34 16
CE Júpiter 17 4 2 11 25 76 10
FC Badalona 16 4 2 10 47 50 10
Iluro SC 16 2 3 11 31 55 7
CE Manresa 2 0 0 2 4 14 0

[edit] Sources

  • Morbo: The Story of Spanish Football (2003), Phil Ball. [1]
  • Barça: A People’s Passion (1998), Jimmy Burns. [2]

[edit] External Links

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