On A Day Like Today: Valencia CF qualify for second Fairs Cup final

On May 16th, 1963, Valencia CF qualified for their second ever European final, in the Fairs Cup. The team, coached by Alejandro Scopelli and with Pasieguito as delegate, boasted a formidable attack consisting of the likes of Waldo, Guillot and Héctor Núñez.

Although they would lose 1-0 in the second leg of their semifinal tie against AS Roma, the resounding 3-0 triumph in the first fixture at Mestalla was enough to see them through to face Dinamo Zagreb.

It was the club's second time in the Fairs Cup, and they were able to beat some of the most dangerous teams in the competition in their defence of the trophy. They had ousted Scottish sides Celtic, Dunfermeline and Hibernian on their way to the semis, where they met the team who had won the cup two seasons prior.

At Mestalla in the opening encounter, Héctor Núñez, Guillot and Chicao were on the scoresheet. The return tie saw Valencia CF line up  Zamora, Verdú, Quincoces, Piquer, Ribelles, Chicao, Sastre, Ficha, Guillot, Waldo and Héctor Núñez in the starting XI, as they made their way past the Italian giants.