Albacete Balompié facts for kids
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| Full name | Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Queso Mecánico (Clockwork Cheese) Alba |
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| Founded | 5 July 1939 (as Albacete Foot-ball Association) | |||
| Ground | Estadio Carlos Belmonte | |||
| Capacity | 17,524 | |||
| Owner | Skyline International | |||
| President | Georges Kabchi | |||
| Head coach | Alberto González | |||
| League | Segunda División | |||
| 2022–23 | Segunda División, 6th of 22 | |||
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Albacete Balompié is a Spanish football team from the city of Albacete. This city is in the region of Castile–La Mancha. The club was started on July 5, 1939.
Currently, Albacete Balompié plays in Segunda División. This is the second highest football league in Spain. Their home games are played at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte. This stadium can hold 17,524 fans.
Contents
History of Albacete Balompié
Early Years and First Promotions
Football in Albacete grew for many years before the club was officially formed. After the Spanish Civil War ended, two local clubs joined together. This led to the founding of Albacete Balompié in 1939. Its first name was Sociedad Deportiva Albacete Foot-ball Association.
In 1941, the club's name had to be changed. This was because the government at the time made all football names use Spanish words. Albacete first played in the Segunda División in 1949. They were moved down to a lower league because of money problems. But they returned to the Segunda División ten years later.
Rise to La Liga and Key Moments
A big moment for the club happened in 1989. A coach named Benito Floro helped the team get promoted two times in a row. They moved from the third division all the way to La Liga. La Liga is the top football league in Spain. In their first season in La Liga (1991–92), they finished in an amazing seventh place.
Benito Floro later went on to coach Real Madrid. He came back to Albacete a few seasons later. However, the club was moved down from La Liga in 1995–96.
After some tough years in the second division, Albacete returned to La Liga in the 2002–03 season. This was under the guidance of coach César Ferrando. But they were moved down again in 2004–05. They only won 6 out of 38 matches that season.
Challenges and Andrés Iniesta's Support
The 2010–11 season was difficult. Albacete went back to the third division after 21 years. They finished last in the Segunda División that season.
On December 6, 2011, something special happened. Andrés Iniesta, a famous football player, became a major owner of the club. Iniesta had played for Albacete when he was young before joining Barcelona. He gave the club €420,000 to help with their money problems. That season, the club also did well in the Copa del Rey cup. They reached the round of 16, even beating Atlético Madrid.
In 2013, Iniesta loaned the club another €240,000. This helped them pay unpaid wages and stopped them from being moved down to the fourth division.
Recent Promotions and Seasons
In 2014, Albacete returned to the Segunda División. But they were moved down again two seasons later. They finished 21st in the 2015–16 season.
The club made it back to the Segunda División in the 2016–17 season. They won a special play-off game against Valencia Mestalla. In the 2018–19 season, Albacete finished 4th in the Segunda División. This gave them a chance to play for promotion to La Liga. However, they lost to RCD Mallorca in the play-offs.
In the next season, Albacete finished last in the second division. This meant they were moved down to the third division again. This ended their four-year stay in the second division.
Albacete was promoted back to the Segunda División in the 2021–22 season. They won their play-off match against Deportivo de La Coruña. They came back from being 1–0 down to win 2–1 in extra time.
Club Achievements
Albacete Balompié has won several titles throughout its history:
- Segunda División: (1) 1990–91
- Segunda División B: (2) 1989–90, 2013–14, 2016–17
- Tercera División: (8) 1945–46, 1946–47, 1948–49, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1981–82
- La Liga promotion: (2) 1990–91, 2002–03
- Segunda División promotion: (2) 1984–85, 1989–90
- Copa de la Liga winners: (2) 1982–83 Segunda División B – Group II, 1984–85 Segunda División B – Group II
Home Stadium
The team plays its home games at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte. This stadium has seats for 17,524 people. It was first built in 1960. The stadium has been updated two times, with the last big change happening in 1998.
See also
In Spanish: Albacete Balompié para niños
- Atlético Albacete, Albacete Balompié's reserve team
- Fundación Albacete, Albacete Balompié's women's team.
- Albacete FS, a futsal club from the same city.
Images for kids
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Albacete Balompié ''"Andrés Iniesta"'' sports city.jpg
Albacete Balompié "Andrés Iniesta" sports city.
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Ciudad de Albacete trophy 1994.
