Deportivo Alavés

Deportivo Alavés – Club History

Deportivo Alavés was founded in 1921 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country's Álava province. Playing in blue and white, the Babazorros have a proud history in Spanish football and achieved one of the competition's most memorable moments when they reached the UEFA Cup final in 2001 – one of the greatest achievements by a provincial Spanish club in European football history. Based in the Basque Country but distinct from their more celebrated neighbours Athletic Club and Real Sociedad, Alavés draw passionate support from Álava and have been a consistent La Liga presence in the modern era.

Alavés's most extraordinary achievement came in the 2000–01 UEFA Cup, when the club made a sensational run to the final at Dortmund's Westfalenstadion. Under manager José Manuel Esnal "Mané", Alavés defeated Internazionale, Kaiserslautern, and Rayo Vallecano en route to the final, where they faced Liverpool. The final itself was one of European football's most dramatic matches – a 5-4 defeat in golden goal extra time, with an own goal deciding the trophy in favour of Liverpool in a match that was voted the greatest European final of all time by UEFA.

UEFA Cup Final 2001

The 2000–01 UEFA Cup final against Liverpool is the defining moment in Alavés's history. With the score at 3-3 after normal time in an extraordinarily entertaining match, golden goal extra time ultimately ended 4-4 (with a Liverpool own goal taking it to 5-4 before the golden goal), and Alavés's Delfí Geli scored an own goal to hand Liverpool the trophy in dramatic fashion. Despite the defeat, the final is celebrated as one of European football's greatest matches, and the journey to reach it remains the proudest achievement in the club's history.

Estadio de Mendizorroza

Alavés play at the Estadio de Mendizorroza in Vitoria-Gasteiz, a stadium that holds approximately 19,000 supporters. The ground has been the club's home throughout their history and has hosted La Liga matches, European football, and Copa del Rey ties. The Basque Country's football culture is among Spain's most passionate, and Mendizorroza generates excellent atmosphere on big occasions. The city of Vitoria-Gasteiz – three-time winner of Spain's "Green Capital" award – provides a quality urban environment that contrasts with some of Spain's larger but more anonymous football cities.

Key Milestones

1921 – Club founded in Vitoria-Gasteiz. 1977 – First La Liga season. 1998 – Promoted to La Liga; beginning of golden period. 2001 – UEFA Cup final; lost to Liverpool in golden goal extra time. 2001 – Relegated from La Liga; subsequent yo-yo period. 2016 – Promoted to La Liga as Segunda División champions. 2018 – Copa del Rey final; lost to Barcelona. 2023 – Promoted to La Liga after Championship. 2024 – La Liga competition.