Copa Del Rey Draw - Here Comes the Big Boys!
Saturday, 11 October 08, 06:06 PM · Comments(1)
The Copa Del Rey draw was conducted this week. In this round, the big boys enter the fray. Look, I'm not the biggest supporter of this cup tournament because it is very one-sided towards La Primera teams to advance. But it is good fun especially during the upcoming round where the smaller clubs are able to make some cha-ching in the coffers, when the big boys come to town. It's also an opportunity for the non-European bound clubs to get some silverware in recent years. Would I like the RFEF to change the format to a knock out competition, more in line with the FA Cup? Sure. But we're talking Spain, so maybe not.
So here ya go - the round of 32:
1st Leg - 29/10/2008
2nd Leg - 12/11/2008
Poli Ejido - Villarreal
Real Unión - Real Madrid
Benidorm - Barcelona
Orihuela - Atlético
Portugalete - Valencia
Ponferradina - Sevilla
Elche - Deportivo
Murcia - Racing
Celta - Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano - Almería
Hercules - Valladolid
Castellón - Betis
Athletic - Recreativo
Getafe - Osasuna
Numancia - Sporting
Málaga – Mallorca
Some juicy matches with some upsets in the makings. Maybe Hercules can get one over Valladolid? They are top of the table in Segunda A right now on 13 points! Not to mention Castellon could do over Betis? Both Valencian teams might have a chance. Frequently, La Primera teams play their reserves, so you never know.
Ponferradina and Real Unión are from Segunda B (the third divsion), they probably don't have a chance in hell up against Real Madrid and Sevilla, so it's all about pride. The little team from León and the Basque country could give a banana skin to the big clubs, but over two legs? Highly unlikely. The same applies to Poli Ejido, Orihuela and Benidorm. The Third division team from Andalusia and the two Valencianas, are estatic about matching up against Villarreal, Barçelona and Atleti, but they will be hoping for a miracle as it's been almost 30 years since a non Primera team has made it to the final.
Unlike the English FA Cup, entry is limited. Only teams from the Primera, Segunda A, about 23 teams from Segunda B and the Tercera Division champions (or runners-up if the champion is a reserve team of La Primera), are invited to enter. The Tercera is really the 4th division, but miracle of miracles, Portugalete from the Basque Country is still in the mix and will get to play Valencia. Portu are the only representative from the 4th division and they should be proud of their accomplishment thus far.
I am going to try and watch as many of these games as I can, because they are passionate, intense and full of spunk. I highly recommend rojadirecta.org for your online La Liga fix. They normally will let you know where to find as many La Liga games as possible, as well as other fútbol leagues.
So let the games begin...
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A better lens into the World's Game. We talk about UEFA Cup, Champions League and International matches, especially when they intersect with teams in Spain and Italy, we talk transfer rumours, gossip and everything else that revolves around the world's greatest game.
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1 Comments · Add yours
Not sure Valencia has the depth to compete in all three competitions, so I'm not sure if the chance to repeat as Copa Del Rey Champions is high on their list of 'things to do this season'.
One of the fun things about this competition is the of recent vintage elimination of Real Madrid. Groovy times. It would be nice if a team like Orihuela or Hercules were to win it, but that seems a bit unlikely.
One thing I think that would help sell the Cup is if they actually played the final on a weekend and not on a Weekday. Also, a format change would be nice as well.