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50th anniversary of the 'Bottles Final'

50th anniversary of the 'Bottles Final'

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Gallery
21 year old Carles Rexach signs autographs before heading to Madrid for final of the 1967/68 Spanish Cup, which in those days was still known as the Copa del Generalísimo, in reference to dictator Francisco Franco.
FC Barcelona are in the their first cup final for five years – but they’re playing the winners of six of the last seven leagues, Real Madrid, and at the Santiago Bernabéu. A big challenge.
Barça fans head to Madrid to support their team, who haven’t won a domestic trophy for half a decade.
Barça manager Salvador Artigas (crouching) stay in San Lorenzo del Escorial to prepare for the final.
Zaldúa, Chus Pereda and Pellicer catch up on the latest news. There are plenty of controversies to keep the press buzzing in the build-up to the game.
The players do their best to stay out of the media furore. Pellicer, Zabalza, Oliveros and Rexach rock Chus Pereda while training at El Escorial.
FC Barcelona are in a confident mood despite facing the newly crowned league champions in what is sure to be a hostile stadium. The team bus arrives at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Captains Zaldúa and Vicente Miera lead their teams out at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The pre-match protocol is overseen by the dictator himself. The Barça starting XI (from left to right): Gallego, Rexach, Rifé, Mendonça, Pereda, Fusté, Eladio, Torres, Zabalza, Sadurní and Zaldúa.
Captains Zaldúa and Miera exchange pennants in the presence of referee Antonio Rigo Sureda, who has a testing 90 minutes ahead of him.
Some papers have had a lot to say about Mallorca-born Antonio Rigo in the build-up, claiming that he’s an avid Barça fan. The home supporters have come with banners protesting against the Federation’s choice of match official.
FC Barcelona are a goal up after just six minutes. A Rifé cross is badly dealt with by Zunzunegui, who ends up putting the ball in his own net. Madrid keeper Betancort can do nothing to stop it.
Zaldúa celebrates the goal, while the Madrid players look on in frustration.
Fernando Zunzunegui on the ground desolate, while his team-mates Grosso and Pirri try to console him and get him back on his feet.
Real Madrid push forward in search of an equaliser, but Salvador Sadurní is in inspired form in the Barcelona goal.
Barça stick to their possession game and create chances of their own. Manolo Sanchís, father of another Madrid legend of the same name, clears the ball under pressure from Fusté.
Argentinian Miguel Pérez runs down the wing chased by Eladio.
Madrid push and push, but Sadurní is in stunning form. The Catalan keeper is on his way to becoming Barça’s hero in this game.
Sadurní’s brilliance in the FCB goal is starting to frustrate the home supporters, who vent their fury against the referee. When he blows a foul against Zabalza in the 63rd minute, the fans begin to hurl bottles onto the pitch.
There were no safety-conscious plastic bottles in those days. These were made of glass, and Sadurní has to take refuge inside his goal to avoid getting hurt.
The game ends and Barça celebrate a famous victory. Eladio embraces unquestionable man of the match Sadurní.
A euphoric Zabalza hugs team masseur Manel Andreu.
Zaldúa collects the trophy from General Franco as the home fans continue throwing bottles, with the police doing nothing to stop them. One even strikes the trophy. That’s why the game will always be remembered as the ‘Bottles Final’.
Celebrations in the Bernabéu dressing room. Barça coach Salvador Artigas and club president Narcís de Carreras pose with the trophy that’s ended a five-year drought.
The Barça fans take to the street to hail their heroes. Here they are the airport, with banners alluding to the shower of bottles that the players endured.
The team and staff pose with the trophy on arrival in Barcelona.
Captain Zaldúa holds aloft the trophy while being carried by ecstatic supporters.
Barça supporters go wild as their heroes return to Catalonia.
The name of Salvador Sadurní, who was simply outstanding against the Madrid onslaught, receives more praise then anyone.
The Bernabéu had thrown bottles, but ultimately it was Barça who showed the most ‘bottle’ and the fans recognise the enormity of the achievement. Plaça Sant Jaume is packed to honour such a fantastic victory.