Copa del Rey, third round

Elche will join the other thirty-one teams in tomorrow's fourth round draw after beating Tenerife on penalties. The game went to a sudden death finish after a 1-1 draw, and Willy Caballero proved to be the hero in the shoot out, the local keeper saving two spot kicks and scoring the final one himself. (09.10.08)

The third round of the Spanish Cup took place this week, with lower ranked sides fighting for a lucrative fourth round tie against first division opposition. As in previous years the round was split into two halves, with second division A teams playing each other, and the rest in the second half of the draw. No doubt the most interesting fixture was between two clubs who have fallen from grace, Celta and Real Sociedad, with the Galicians winning 2-0 thanks to a goal in each half from Dinei. Second division leaders Hércules beat Girona 1-0 despite putting out a side packed with reserves, Morán getting their only goal. Castellón beat Salamanca 0-1 thanks to a N'Sue strike in the first minute of extra time, and Rayo Vallecano came back from one down to beat Albacete 2-1. Elche and Tenerife play on Thursday, and Murcia were given a bye to the next round.

Six lower division teams won through to the big prize though, all being guaranteed a seeded fourth round tie against one of the eight clubs who qualified for Europe this season. Portugalete are the only third division side left in the competition, the Basques beating Andalusia's Don Benito 2-0. Portu's neighbours Real Unión will also be there after coming from behind to win 2-1 against local rivals Barakaldo, and Ponferradina join them after beating Universidad Las Palmas in the penalty shoot out following a 1-1 draw. Poli Ejido get some compensation after being relegated last season, winning through 2-3 at Melilla, but Granada '74 suffered another disappointment, losing 0-2 at home to Benidorm. And Orihuela made sure of their place in the last 32 with a 3-1 win over Toledo, ex first division strikers Iván Espadas and Tevenet putting them two up with only ten minutes on the clock. (08.10.08)