From Ondarreta to Seville: the milestones that forged txuri-urdin pride | OneFootball

From Ondarreta beach to a showpiece in Seville, Real Sociedad’s 110-plus-year story reaches another peak in 2026. According to Diario Vasco, 30,000 realistas will pack La Cartuja, Seville will turn blue and white, and Donostia’s Alderdi Eder will host giant screens.

The tale begins with 1901 kickabouts and San Sebastián FC, the club’s embryo, before a first Copa arrived in 1909 as Club Ciclista, beating Español de Madrid 3-1. A year later came London Nodmans, and Atocha opened in 1913 against Athletic.

The Republic brought the loss of royal symbols and hardship, culminating in relegation by 1936. Recovery led to 1949 promotion, consolidation in the 1950s, a dramatic 1967 ascent in Puertollano against Calvo Sotelo, a European debut in 1974 and the iconic 1976 ikurriña derby, won 5-0.

Ormaetxea’s side went 32 league games unbeaten in 1979-80 before Sevilla heartbreak, then Bertoni’s late strike at the Sánchez Pizjuán in 1980. Zamora’s last-gasp finish at El Molinón ignited the first title in 1981, 1982 brought a second, 1983 added the inaugural Supercopa and a Hamburg semi, and Toshack’s 1987 Copa preceded 1988 near-misses.

Later landmarks include the 1993 move to Anoeta, the 2003 near-miss in Vigo, relegation in 2007 and 2010 promotion against Celta under Martín Lasarte, with Xabi Prieto and Carlos Bueno scoring. A 2013 Champions League return, the women’s 2019 Copa de la Reina, Oyarzabal’s 2021 Copa del Rey and a fifth straight European qualification preface a 2026 final after eliminating Athletic, following semi-final exits in 2024 and 2025.

Source: Diario Vasco