Copa del Rey - 2016/17

Superiority prevailed and Lorca FC (still better known as La Hoya Lorca) won 2-1.

Last night (7/9) they played the second round against a whole island - Formentera! But came out the wrong end of a 10-9 penalty shoot out.

Attendance 2,964.

Next game is away at bottom club RCD Mallorca (12/10).

EDIT:   and another great win for UCAM-Murcia...2-1.

Well I never.....missed one of the games of the season last night! And just caught up with the highlights.

Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona.

Barca their usual supercilious selves assuming they will score eventually. Athletic up for the fight as ever - and running at twice the pace of Barca.

But the scene for the fight was set in the 20th minute when Iraizoz the Athletic goalkeeper went right at the man (Piqué) but escaped with no card or warning. That would allow a fair amount of reckless play to continue.

Iniesta and Jordi Alba then left Aduriz to each other and he makes them pay by having a free header from a Raul Garcia cross.....1-0.

Athletic were to make it 2-0 before 30 minutes with a superb 1-2-3 move...headed clearance to Aduriz who deftly back-heels a flick to Iñaki Williams who volleys past Ter Stegen.

There was no defender within 10 metres of Williams!

With many niggles and a couple of serious coming-togethers that would have ramifications later, the first half ended 2-0. But not before Neymar and Etxeita squared up which resulted in yellows for Iniesta, Busquets and Jordi Alba!!! The ref was having a bad night.

Luuis Enrique had much to do at half-time, but something clicked as Barca were pressing more. A typical Messi free kick brought it back to 2-1 - Iraizoz saving the shot but the ball coming back off the crossbar over the line. More Athletic protests for ref Borbalan to sort out.

The atmosphere in San Mames is always a help to Athletic. But Raul Garcia and Iturraspe got too stoked up. Neymar is always going to wind up defenders and they cut him down too often. Ref Borbalan's yellow cards eventually caught up with them and Athletic ended the game with 9 men on the pitch.

Messi had a shot come back off the upright and several other attempts were thwarted by heroic Athletic defending.

But, as they say, it's all set-up for a great return leg at the Camp Nou next Wednesday (KO: 21:15).

ARE REAL MADRID ON THE SLIDE?

Celta Vigo stunned La Liga leaders Real Madrid to reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey with a 2-2 draw, 4-3 on aggregate.

The hosts went ahead on the stroke of half-time when away defender Danilo converted the ball into his own net.

Cristiano Ronaldo got the visitors back into the tie with a brilliant free-kick, before Daniel Wass drilled in a low finish for Celta.

Lucas Vazquez headed in Real's second but it was not enough.

Zinedine Zidane's side saw their 40-match unbeaten run brought to an end by Sevilla earlier in January. They have now won just once in their past five games in all competitions.

Copa del Rey final confirmed for Saturday 27th May - KO at 21:30!

Venue is Vicente Calderon in Madrid - they do things late in Madrid.

This will be the final 'regular' game at the stadium before it is demolished with Atlético moving to their new home.  It is going to need work doing to replace the seating taken as souvenirs after the Atléti vs Real Madrid game.  And there is still the final home game of the season against Bilbao to provide the opportunity for more souvenir hunters!

Incidentally, this is the same day as the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea which kicks off at 18:30 (Spanish time).

Or the Scottish Cup final between Aberdeen and Celtic which kicks off at 16:00 (Spanish).

Or the French Cup final between Angers and PSG which kicks off at 21:00 (Spanish).

Or the German Cup final between Eintract Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmond which kicks off at 20:00 (Spanish).

Let's hope the second leg of the Mazarron/Los Garres play-offs isn't scheduled for the Saturday.