English Woman's Journal - Atletico face Athletic in Copa dey Rey semis

Weather - London 10°C

Atletico face Athletic in Copa dey Rey semis

SPORTS 26.01.2024

Atletico face Athletic in Copa dey Rey semis / Photo: ANDER GILLENEA - AFP

Atletico Madrid will face Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey semi-finals after they were paired in Friday's draw.

Change text size:

Real Sociedad face Real Mallorca in the other match of the home-and-away ties.

Athletic defeated Spanish champions and record 31-time cup winners Barcelona on Wednesday in a dramatic 4-2 extra-time victory at San Mames.

The first legs are set to take place in the week beginning February 5, with the returns scheduled for the week beginning February 26.

Atletico eliminated rivals and current cup holders Real Madrid and narrowly scraped past Sevilla to reach the final four, with Diego Simeone's side last winning the tournament in 2013.

"It will be a nice, hard-fought game," said Atletico defender Mario Hermoso.

"We are really looking forward to this double-header with the hope of being able to get to the final."

Athletic have won the tournament 23 times, behind only Barcelona, but their last triumph came in 1984. Since then the Basque side have reached the final six times but lost on each occasion.

"We're playing against a team that is armed well enough to win trophies," warned Athletic midfielder Ander Herrera.

"It will be tough, (but) it's true that the fans will have the chance to see the second leg at home, where we feel strong."

This year's final will take place in Sevilla at La Cartuja stadium on April 6.

Ch.Anderson--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: