Modest football exposes the elite in the Cup

The Copa del Rey is one of the competitions that leaves the most surprises during its course, but since the tournament reform last year they have increased. The beneficiaries are the teams from non-professional football, which have put the top clubs in Spain on the ropes. In this edition, up to five LaLiga Santander teams have been removed from the Cup at the hands of a modest club.

The Navalcarnero has become the last team that has been revealed against one of the First Division. The Madrilenians have managed to win 3-1 against Eibar de Mendilibar and throw them into the Cup in the round of 32. Before they achieved the same feat in the second round, Cornellà (0-1 against Atlético de Madrid), Ibiza (5-2 against Celta), Alcoyano (2-1, against Huesca) and Córdoba (1-0 against Getafe). But there were other modest ones that almost knocked down the 'rich' of the elite. In the second round, Marbella took Valladolid to extra time, just like the Peña Deportiva did this Saturday; Cultural also forced overtime against Granada in the second round; and Pontevedra and Las Rozas almost eliminated Cádiz and Eibar in the penalty shoot-out in the previous tie.

The Segunda B clubs are exposing the top-tier clubs in Spain. The former suffer the economic difficulties inherent in bronze football, exacerbated by COVID; While the Firsts have the lifeline of TV rights which gives them several million euros each season. Despite the difference in budgets, there are already five First Division clubs that have fallen to Second B clubs. One more than the previous season (4). And tThere are still four more duels to be played between teams of both categories: Córdoba-Real Sociedad, Alcoyano-Real Madrid, Ibiza-Athletic and Cornellà-Barcelona. The first two will take place next Wednesday and the remaining two on Thursday.

The money at stake

From the Spanish Football Federation premiums are allocated to Second B clubs for qualifying for the Copa del Rey and going to the round. Those who play at home will receive a help of 35,000 euros and those who play as visitors will win 45,000. For each round they pass, they will add an additional 35,000 euros to their coffers. Thus, Navalcarnero, the first team to reach the eighth in this edition, would have accumulated around 140,000 euros.