It was in the 38th minute of the second half when Nyilasi scored the tenth goal for Hungary to round off a 10-1 victory against El Salvador, the greatest margin of defeat in the history of World Cup Football competition. It was 15th June 1982 and the Martínez Valero Stadium of Elche was the setting.

Wonderful memories are also held by the approximately 20,000 Mallorcans whose voices supported their team at the final of the King´s Cup, the Spanish equivalent of the F.A Cup, which was held at the stadium on 28 June 2003. Real Mallorca beat Recreativo Huelva under the watchful eyes of King Juan Carlos I, who was present in the Royal Box.

Major Events

Other major events such as several games of the Spanish National Football squad, some stages of the Vuelta de España cycle race, the III Frontón World Cup, the Clay Pigeon Shooting World Cup of 2010, the International Handball Tournament of Torrellano, as well as the 5 a-side football team of Femesala, with its wonderful record as seven times league champion, demonstrate that Elche is a city which is committed to sporting endeavour.

Athletics, BTT, water sports, football, golf, swimming, padel, tennis and squash, clay pigeon and Olympic shooting make up the wide range of sports tourism available in the city itself, the surrounding countryside and on the coast of Elche.