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Del Bosque asks RFEF to rearrange Copa del Rey final to aid Euro 2012 preparations
Posted Saturday, April 28, 2012 by Goal.com

Del Bosque asks RFEF to rearrange Copa del Rey final to aid Euro 2012 preparations

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has asked the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) to reschedule the upcoming Copa del Rey final between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona, according to Sport.

The cup clash is currently pencilled in for May 25, just 16 days before Spain's opening Euro 2012 game against Italy.

With several of his side's key players set to be involved in the Vicente Calderon showpiece, Del Bosque has asked the governing body to move the fixture to May 16 to aid his preparation for Ukraine-Poland.

However, the RFEF is reportedly unwilling to change the date, as are the two clubs, who feel it would interfere with the travel arrangements.

Having crashed out of the Champions League and with La Liga slipping away, the Copa del Rey is Barcelona's last chance to add silverware to their Spanish Supercopa, Uefa Supercup and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs. Athletic, meanwhile, will compete in the Europa League final on May 9 against Atletico Madrid.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia