By Manolo Rodríguez

"Since the times of the famous bullfighting rivalry between Joselito and Belmonte, there had never been a show that moved so many people like the match between Betis and Madrid in the first match of the second round of the football league. Great atmosphere in the streets, like in traditional holidays, bright blue sky on last Sunday, date of the sporting event, that acted like the perfect preamble for the upcoming Spring. And in the afternoon, the Patronato Obrero field, unable to hold the masses, as people flooded in from over the fences, seating just by the pitch lines. Magnificent picture, just the kind you would expect in a decisive event."

ABC Seville newspaper began this way their match report about Betis-Madrid that took place on Sunday the 17th of February of 1935. Exactly 84 years ago today. A great chronicle about the huge expectation this match created and, as they say, would decide the league that year, that league Betis won. Let's stop for a second to remind that it was Betis vs Madrid, as Spain was a republic at the time and the 'Real' denomination had been removed from the teams that had it.

The match entered the Green and White history books immediately as it was the first full house at home and, therefore, in the city of Seville. Something that had never seen before and that, as many other things, Betis was the first to bring to Seville.

Of course, the match deserved it. That Betis team was surprising the world since the league started. The Sevillians were crazy about the team, and they wanted to see if they could keep the pace fighting with the greatest.

So far, Betis had finished the first round of the championship at the top of the table. Madrid were three points behind. However, the media from the capital did not give Betis much credit and did not consider them favourites. "They will fall", was the most heard sentence through papers and radio broadcasts. But they didn't.

Then, that Sunday of February came. The moment. The time to show if David could be stronger than Goliath.

Excitation kept growing in the previous week. Special train and bus services are announced. Fans from Madrid and different points of Andalusia are expected. More than 3,000 come from Cordoba. The police also caught 1,200 fake tickets brought from the capital.

Nobody wants to miss the show. Spin national coach, Amadeo García Salazar, also comes accompanied by officers from the Federation. Madrid ask for a Federation delegate just for themselves, and also a telephone to have direct line with their offices in Madrid.

There is also some controversy with the referee. Betis expect Pedro Escartín, considered the best in the division, to be appointed, but Julio Ostalé Gómez is the chosen one. Curiously, that one the official in the only defeat the Green and Whites had had in the league, against Athletic de Madrid.

The weather conditions are splendid. Bright and warm. The city is packed. Some papers even state that they had not seen so many people even in the Holy Week. Tickets are sold out from the previous Friday but there is a lot of movement in the resale business. So many people that Betis directors decide to open the Patronato field one hour and a half before the kick off, scheduled for three o'clock.

Absolutely full house. There are so many people that many spectators jump over the fences and invade the field almost to the side and base lines. The referee goes around the edges placing some security guards in strategic points to maintain the order. Nobody loses the manners and all the actors get relieved when they see the spectators are moved just by the expectation.

These were the line ups:

Betis: Urquiaga, Areso y Aedo, Peral, Gómez, Larrinoa, Timimi, Adolfo, Unamuno, Caballero, Saro.

Madrid: Zamora, Ciriaco, Quincoces, Pedro Regueiro, Bonet, Leoncito, Eugenio, Luis Regueiro, Sañudo, Hilario, Lazcano.

The first half is under the control of the visitors. Their talent is evident, but also is the defensive strength of the team managed by O'Connell. Not many chances occur and the half time is reached with the same score of the start.

The second half is for Betis, even if they are missing their biggest star, Simón Lecue. The Green and Whites push and the goal finally comes. It was the 69th minute. Timimi gets a rebound just outside the area, shoots and the puts the ball past Zamora. The victory goal.

The fans leave the pitch crazy. Betis increases their advantage by two more points. Madrid is now five points behind. And advantage the team will manage until the end of the season,

The press informs that more than fifteen thousand spectators attended the match, and the box office was over 73,000 pesetas. A significant amount, but even more important was the story of what had happened that day. Mainly because Betis had brought to the city something unknown until then. And this is how 'La Unión' explained it:

"Seville was yesterday, thanks to football, the main spot for thousands of people. And all because of Betis: eleven lads more or less insignificant who, with their enthusiasm and craft- yes, gentlemen, craft!- have managed to impose their football, the name of the city. This is simply what Betis have given and keeps on giving Seville."

Today marks 84 years since that great moment in Betis history.