What Is 2011 Copa de la Reina

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Copa de la Reina was the 29th edition of Spain's premier women's football cup competition, held from July 3 to July 10, 2011. Rayo Vallecano won the tournament by defeating Espanyol 2–1 in the final, securing their first title.

Key Facts

The 2011 Copa de la Reina took place from July 3 to July 10, 2011
Rayo Vallecano won their first title by defeating Espanyol 2–1 in the final
Matches were hosted in Ciudad Real and Alcázar de San Juan, Spain
Sixteen teams participated in the knockout tournament
Espanyol were defending champions but were eliminated in the final

Overview

The 2011 Copa de la Reina was the 29th edition of Spain’s top-tier women’s football knockout tournament, organized annually by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). This edition featured 16 teams from the top division of women’s football, competing in a single-elimination format to determine the national cup champion.

Held during early July 2011, the tournament served as a crucial competitive platform ahead of the domestic league season. It highlighted the growing depth of talent in Spanish women’s football and provided key match experience for clubs preparing for European competition.

Competition dates: The tournament ran from July 3 to July 10, 2011, condensed into a week-long final phase hosted in central Spain.
Host cities: Matches were played in Ciudad Real and Alcázar de San Juan, both in the Castilla–La Mancha region, using regional stadiums.
Champion:Rayo Vallecano claimed their first Copa de la Reina title after defeating Espanyol 2–1 in the final, marking a historic achievement.
Runner-up:Espanyol, the defending champions from 2010, reached the final but lost, ending their title defense.
Format: The competition used a straight knockout structure with 16 teams entering at the Round of 16 stage.

How It Works

The Copa de la Reina operates as a single-elimination cup competition, where teams face off in one-off matches, with winners advancing and losers eliminated. The 2011 edition followed this traditional format, culminating in a final that decided the champion through regular time or extra time if necessary.

Knockout structure:16 teams entered the tournament at the Round of 16, with each match a single game rather than a two-leg tie.
Venue rotation: Host cities are selected annually; in 2011, Ciudad Real and Alcázar de San Juan were designated neutral venues.
Match duration: Each game lasted 90 minutes, with extra time and penalties used if the score was level after regulation.
Participation: All teams were from the Primera División Femenina, Spain’s top women’s football league at the time.
Final result: The final ended 2–1 in favor of Rayo Vallecano, with goals from their key forwards securing the win.
Historical context: This was the 29th edition of the Copa de la Reina, first established in 1983, though with inconsistent scheduling in early years.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2011 Copa de la Reina with the 2010 and 2012 editions to highlight structural and competitive differences:

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Host Cities	Final Score
2010	Espanyol	Rayo Vallecano	Granada, Loja	4–1
2011	Rayo Vallecano	Espanyol	Ciudad Real, Alcázar	2–1
2012	Atlético Madrid	Barcelona	San Sebastián	2–1 aet
2009	Espanyol	Levante	Valencia	3–1
2013	Barcelona	Rayo Vallecano	Barcelona	3–0

The 2011 tournament stood out for its regional hosting model and the reversal of the 2010 final result, with Rayo Vallecano avenging their previous loss. Unlike later years, the competition was not held in conjunction with a single host city, reflecting the RFEF’s effort to promote women’s football across different regions. The narrow 2–1 scoreline also emphasized the competitive balance among top teams during this transitional period in Spanish women’s football.

Why It Matters

The 2011 Copa de la Reina was significant both for Rayo Vallecano’s breakthrough victory and for showcasing the competitive depth of Spanish women’s football at a time when the sport was gaining institutional support. It helped lay the foundation for future growth, including increased media attention and player development.

Historic win: For Rayo Vallecano, this was their first major national title in women’s football, elevating the club’s profile.
Rivalry shift: The final marked a turning point in the rivalry between Rayo and Espanyol, with the former overcoming the defending champions.
Development pathway: The tournament provided high-pressure match experience crucial for player growth and tactical refinement.
Regional exposure: Hosting in Castilla–La Mancha helped expand fan engagement beyond traditional football hubs.
Precedent for parity: The close scorelines across rounds demonstrated increased competitive balance in the league.
Media momentum: Coverage of the final contributed to growing visibility for women’s football ahead of future investments.

As Spanish women’s football continued to evolve, the 2011 Copa de la Reina served as a milestone moment—celebrating underdog success and setting the stage for the professionalization that would follow in the next decade.