The sudden flooding sweeping through parts of Europe has forced an unexpected pause in various sports events, including the Copa del Rey. Teams and fans face a standstill as communities grapple with the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory.
Copa del Rey Matches Delayed
Severe flooding struck eastern Valencia, killing at least 95 and leaving entire areas devastated. Village streets turned into rivers, and key transportation routes, including railways and highways, were paralyzed. Copa del Rey matches scheduled in affected areas, such as those involving Valencia, Levante, Manises, Jove Español, and Hércules Alicante, have been postponed by organizers.
Before the delays, Girona had already triumphed over Extremadura with a decisive 4-0 victory, featuring a brace from Bojan Miovski and additional goals from Bryan Gil and Arnau Martínez. Unfortunately, Girona’s forward Arnaut Danjuma had to exit due to a leg injury. Earlier, Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho netted twice to help secure a win over Las Rozas, while Celta Vigo outclassed San Pedro with a 5-1 scoreline. Atlético Madrid also managed to edge past Vic, moving on with a 2-0 win.
Athletes Show Their Support
Sports stars like Vinícius Júnior, Luka Modrić, Sergio Ramos, Diego Simeone, and Thibaut Courtois shared messages of support for those affected by the floods. Real Madrid issued a heartfelt statement, expressing its condolences and pledging support. Tennis champions Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz also voiced their sympathy, with Nadal posting on X, “Today is a day of sorrow. The floods have brought unimaginable pain.”
Beyond the Copa del Rey， other regional sports events, including several basketball games, have also been called off as southern Europe faces the long road to recovery.
