during the spanish civil war, levante and gimnástico played in the mediterranean league, finishing fifth and sixth respectively – teams from this league also competed in the copa de la españa libre ("free spain cup"). it was originally intended that the top four teams from the league would enter the cup, but barcelona opted to tour mexico and the united states, and as a result , levante took its place. the first round of the competition was a mini-league with the top two teams, levante and valencia, qualifying for the final. on 18 july 1937, levante defeated its city rivals 1–0 at the montjuïc.