Real Betis have the chance to etch their name in history on Wednesday evening as they travel to Poland for the Europa Conference League final
19:58, 28 May 2025
Antony of Real Betis celebrates scoring his team's second goal with team mates during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Real Betis Balompie and ACF Fiorentina at Estadio Benito Villamarin on May 01, 2025 in Seville, Spain.
Real Betis are one game from glory(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
On Wednesday evening, as spring turns to summer in Eastern Europe, Real Betis face an uphill battle to shock the footballing world.
However, Betis have always faced the odds throughout their history making campaign.
These are uncharted waters for Los Verdiblancos, they have never reached a major European final in their history - only winning four major domestic titles since their inception in 1907.
The most recent of those titles came under current boss Manuel Pellegrini, once of Manchester City and West Ham, who took them to the promised land during the 2020/21 Copa del Rey.
On Friday evening, Betis were handed a spine-tingling send-off by their Béticos, “It’s impressive to play in front of these fans every week,” midfielder Pablo Fornals gushed as he took it all in.
Jesus Rodriguez of Real Betis celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Cucho Hernandez during the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Benito Villamarin on April 24, 2025 in Seville, Spain.
Real Betis stand in the way of Chelsea and their European goals(Image: Getty Images)
“I’d never played for a fanbase like this in Spain.”
Fornals isn't the only familiar face in the Spanish outfit. Isco, who starred at Real Madrid, commands the midfield, while Antony has revigorated his career in Spain after leaving Manchester United on loan.
The Antony that has been swanning around the pitch in Spain is the one United were promised. It's the tricky winger that terrorised Real Madrid under Erik ten Hag all those years ago.
Antony
Antony has looked a changed man for Real Betis(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
“He is a player who unbalances due to his individual ability. Because of his characteristics we knew he was going to do a lot of damage," Pellegrini, who is current boss of Real Betis, said when he was asked about Antony.
However, for Betis, a European trophy will be more sweet than most.
Betis' local rivals, Sevilla, have been the scourge of the Europa League over the past decade - and they've been able to wave their European triumphs over their city rivals heads.
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The Spanish side have defeated Gent, Vitória de Guimarães, Jagiellonia Białystok and Fiorentina in the knockout rounds to reach the showpiece event.
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And if they are to stun Chelsea, Betis will become the eighth different Spanish club to have won a major UEFA club competition, after Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia, Villarreal and Real Zaragoza.