Cup final, 13 May in Valencia: Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao made it in to the final of the Spanish cup for the first time in 24 years after a 3-0 win over Sevilla. The Basque side have the second best record in the competition, although a generation has gone by without seeing their team in a final. However with only four minutes on the clock Javi Martínez beat Palop at the second attempt after Llorente headed on a long throw to cancel out the Andalusians' first leg advantage. And before half time Llorente headed in Yeste's cross and then set up Toquero for the third to send the capacity crowd wild.
The only team with more cup final wins than Athletic is Barcelona, and the Catalans will be their rivals in the final in May after a 1-1 draw at Mallorca. Guardiola's side were defending a two goal lead from the first leg, but an impressive strike from Castro on the stroke of half time halved the gap. Martí could have levelled the tie from the penalty spot after Martín Cáceres was sent off for fouling Castro, but Pinto saved his spot kick. And after Josemi was also red-carded, substitute Messi took advantage of a defensive mistake to wrap things up late on. (04.03.09)