Sevilla, Real Betis, Barbastro: Catalan teams learn Copa del Rey round two opponents

A festival of football is coming to Catalonia this December in the second round of the Copa del Rey.

On Wednesday, teams learned their opponents for the next round. FC Barcelona were not involved in the draw as they have a by until the third round as they are competing in January's Super Cup. 

Espanyol will travel to Barbastro, located in nearby Aragon, in round two, while fellow La Liga outfit Girona will go to UD Logroñes.

Gimnàstic de Tarragona, who play in the Primera Federació division, the third tier of Spanish football, welcome SD Huesca in the next round.

Meanwhile, there are three teams who play in even lower divisions competing in the next round of the cup. 

UE Sant Andreu, based in the Sant Andreu neighborhood of Barcelona, have been drawn at home to Real Betis, winners of the 2022 Copa del Rey.

CE Europa, from Gràcia in the Catalan capital, will play UD Las Palmas at home. 

Both UE Sant Andreu and CE Europa play in Segona Federació, the fourth tier of Spanish football.

UE Olot, from northern Catalonia, have also been drawn a glamour tie at home to seven-times Europa League winners Sevilla. Olot normally ply their trade in the Tercera Divisió, the fifth tier of Spanish football. 

Kickoff times have not yet been set but the ties will be played next week, across the midweek slots on Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, December 3-4-5. 

"Exciting opponents"

Xavi Molist, the manager of UE Sant Andreu, told Catalan News that he and his squad are "happy" with the draw that pits them against an "exciting opponent" in a game that will "fill the Narcís Sala" stadium again. "I hope that people enjoy the match and the moment."

"We will try to compete against Betis, we know that they are superior and it is normal for them to go through, but we will try to do our best," Molist added, "just like we did against Mirandés."

Sant Andreu reached the second round by upsetting second-division Mirandés 2-1. "We will compete and try to get through the play-offs."

Olot manager Pedro Dolera said his team are also "very happy" about the draw, "because it was one of the teams we wanted" to play against, "for the history, for the fans."

"We're very happy to have a club of that level come here," Dolera said. "Hopefully there will be a huge attendance and we'll fill the stadium." A big turnout would be "perfect" for the finances of the "humble" club as well, as the home team will surely get one of their largest gates in years as they welcome a giant of European football. 

The manager also proudly stated that the pitch will be in fine condition for the game, as that's the style of surface he prefers. 

"If we're playing at our highest level and keep a good rhythm for the first half hour, if we manage to score a goal, anything could happen." Yet, Dolera is aware that "it's normal that they would hammer us, that we have a 1% chance" at going through.