By Manolo Rodríguez

The four Copa del Rey semi-finals Real Betis won were all marked by epic, uncertainty, tension and anguish. In all of them, the team had to fight against the elements. When the most difficult it looked. In some cases, coming back in the score and, in others, suffering to keep an advantage in order to reach the day in which the national anthem plays before the kick-off.

This was the case in 1931, when Betis (without Real because Spain as a Republic) became the first team playing in Second Division to reach a final. To get there, they had to eliminate Arenas de Getxo in the semi-finals, one of LaLiga's founding clubs, a team that had already won one cup and played four finals.

The first leg was played at Ibaiondo field and was won by Arenas 2-1. The Green and White goal came through Adolfo and, for the locals, Ángel Martín 'Saro' netted a brace. The same player who, a year later, signed for Betis and with the team won LaLiga 1935 and played here until 1949, with a total of 286 matches played.

The second leg took place at Patronato field on Sunday the 14th of June and Betis came back in the round. The team won 1-0, goal by Romero. Back then, there was no extra time or penalty shootout, so when a round was tied, a third match had to be played. And it was fixed to be played in Madrid. Betis travelled to the capital that same night by train, while Arenas made a trip by bus.

The final and decisive game happened at Chamartín on Tuesday the 16^th. Scorching hot weather according to the reports. Huge expectation. So much that some businesses in the city centre installed speakers for the fans to listen to the match in the radio. Also at Heliópolis bar, a place where Betis fans used to gather, a speaker was set up.

And they were all happy listening that Adolfo and Sanz had scored. A 2-0 victory. Another joy in that Cup tournament in which Betis had already passed through powerful teams such as Sociedad de Fútbol de San Sebastián and Madrid.

The next successful semi-final was in 1977. We recently talked about it here. That one against Espanyol. A defeat 1-0 in the first leg at Sarriá and a comeback at Villamarín with two goals from Biosca. Then the great victory in the final against Athletic de Bilbao. The one with a long penalty shootout and the glory that came afterwards.

The third time Real Betis reached the final was in 1977. The semi-final was against Celta de Vigo. The first leg was played at Heliópolis in Easter and the Green and Whites won 1-0, a goal scored by Croatian player Nenad Bjeliça. The match got ugly because the visitors were constantly wasting time, throwing the ball out and asking for medical attention every few minutes. In one of them, with Betis players fed up with this attitude, they did not give the ball back and in that played the goal came.

This heated up the atmosphere for the second leg and the environment at Balaídos was unpleasant and rough. Real Betis had also to face the second leg without their foreign players, all of them in international duty as the game was surprisingly schedule during an international break. This way, the team travelled to Vigo without Finidi, Jarni, Vidakovic and Kowalczyc. A huge disadvantage.

Even though, Betis managed to get through. Celta scored first through Ratkovic but five minutes before the end, Alexis Trujillo netted an assist from Alfonso. 1-1 was the final score in a game that is still remembered. Betis fans thanked the players for their pride, resilience and courage, and they were welcomed that night at the airport in a fantastic atmosphere.

The last won semi-final dates back to 2005. With the same man in charge who also did it in 1997: Lorenzo Serra Ferrer. The draw was against Athletic de Bilbao and the first leg was played at Heliópolis on Thursday the 21^st of April. Full house and a not-so-good match with few chances. As it could be expected, the final score 0-0, leaving everything for the second leg at San Mamés.

Real Betis arrived to The Cathedral on Wednesday the 11^th of May wearing green shirts and white trunks.

The game in Bilbao was tremendous. The atmosphere, indescribable and the tries from the 'lions' were desperate. Athletic attacked ruthlessly from the start while Betis denied all their efforts. The team got their composure back and the possession as well and the first half ended with good feelings for the Green and Whites.

The second half went underway in the same way until the light went off. A blackout in San Mamés that had the match stopped for 13 minutes. From that moment until the end, Athletic pushed again but Betis, especially due to the great performance from goalkeeper Doblas, stood their ground.

The clearest chance in the extra time was for Ricardo Oliveira in the 110^th minute, but his header hit the woodwork. What a shame. It would have avoided all the anguish that followed after. Because the penalty shootout was suffocating for the fans. A pleasant torture.

In the first five penalties Assunçao, Joaquín, Denilson, and Lembo scored and only Oliveira missed. Precisely the taker nobody doubted was going to score. The Basque also missed one and then the "sudden death" came. On the verge of a heart attack.

Home player Ezquerro shot first and Doblas made a great save. Then, time stood still when Luis Fernández got that white and blue ball. He placed it on the spot. Took six steps back. He made a short run and produced a great left-footed effort to the top-right corner. I was done.

The following day, newspaper ABC stated in the front page that: "Betis is linked to epic and they only understand to walk by its hand". The same epic we need this Thursday to make all the Béticos happy at Mestalla.

And also to make the legend of Joaquín, the only survivor from 2005, grow even bigger than it already is.