Deportivo Alavés

Deportivo Alavés is a Spanish football club from the city of Vitória-Gasteiz, in the Basque Country, founded in 1921. It became world-famous for starring in one of the most thrilling finals in the history of European football, the 2001 UEFA Cup final, played against Liverpool in Dortmund.

History

Deportivo Alavés was founded in 1921 in the Basque capital of Vitória-Gasteiz. For decades, the club alternated between the divisions of Spanish football, being a regional reference without major projections in the European scene. Its loyal supporters followed the ups and downs throughout the twentieth century. A major turning point in Alavés' history came in the early 2000s, when the club, then in the Spanish First Division, achieved a historic campaign in the 2000-2001 UEFA Cup. Eliminating Inter Milan, Kaiserslautern and Rayo Vallecano, Alavés reached the tournament final, surprising all of Europe. The 2001 UEFA Cup final, played in Dortmund against Liverpool, went down in history as one of the most thrilling matches in world football. Liverpool won 5-4, with Delfi Geli's golden goal (own goal) in extra time. Despite the defeat, Alavés gained international recognition and its golden generation remained forever in the memory of football lovers. After that period, the club returned to the lower divisions, but rose again in the following decades to firmly establish itself in the elite of Spanish football. The Mendizorrotza, its stadium, is one of the most traditional venues of Basque football.