For Real Sociedad, winning the Copa del Rey wasn't just a trophy—it was a seismic emotional event, the kind that rewrites club history and leaves a town buzzing for days. But as the celebrations rolled on, reality hit hard in the form of a 2-1 La Liga defeat to Getafe. Yet, even that couldn't dampen the euphoria.
A Night to Remember (and Barely Survive)
The final itself was a marathon. After 120 minutes of grueling football and a tense penalty shootout, it was nearly midnight when Pablo Marín—a ballboy the last time the club reached the final—stepped up to seal the victory. The team didn't leave the stadium until after 2 a. m., and the party only grew from there. Back at the hotel by 2:39 a. m., a makeshift disco was already underway on the second floor. Taxis arrived at 4:45 a. m. to move the revelry elsewhere, and by 10:15 a. m., the bus was ready to depart for the airport. Some players never slept. Others simply never stopped.
On the flight north, the drinks trolley was emptied, and the trophy was carried across the runway at Hondarribia airport. The team's anthem, borrowed from Bad Bunny, became the soundtrack to the best days of their lives. The lyrics demand coffee in the morning and rum in the evening—though manager Imanol Alguacil admitted he preferred gin and tonic, adding, 'Maybe there was an extra beer or two.'
A crowd gathered at Zubieta to welcome the heroes home. But that was nothing compared to the scenes that followed in the city center.
The Hangover Arrives
Come matchday against Getafe, the physical toll was evident. Real Sociedad looked sluggish, their legs heavy from days of little sleep and plenty of celebration. Getafe capitalized, taking a 2-0 lead before the hosts pulled one back. The final whistle brought a 2-1 defeat, but the stands still sang. For a club that had waited 40 years for this cup glory, one loss couldn't erase the magic.
As one fan put it, 'We've been waiting four decades for this. A hangover is a small price to pay.'
Key Takeaways
- Cup win ends 40-year drought: Real Sociedad's Copa del Rey triumph is the club's fourth in history, capping a generation-long wait.
- Celebrations lasted days: Players partied through the night, flew home with the trophy, and were greeted by thousands at Zubieta.
- La Liga hangover: The team lost 2-1 to Getafe days later, but the defeat did little to dampen the mood.
- Manager admits to 'extra beer': Imanol Alguacil confessed to indulging in the festivities, a rare moment of human vulnerability from the boss.
Infographic: The Cup Run in Numbers
Final Score: Real Sociedad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao (4-2 pens)
Minutes Played: 120 + extra time
Penalty Shootout: 6 kicks, 4 converted by La Real
Hours of Celebration: Over 72 non-stop
Distance Flown: 1,000 km north with trophy in cabin
Source: The Guardian
