Seven more first division clubs were eliminated in a cup competition which is losing prestige every year. Crowds stayed away en masse, with less than 2,000 people turning up for some matches, and sides turning out full of reserves. Last year's cup winners Valencia were eliminated by Osasuna, who hung on to a three goal lead from the first leg to win 3-2 on aggregate. A penalty by Mendieta and a second goal by Farinós were not enough to turn the tie around, and Osasuna eliminated another first division side, after knocking out Sevilla in the last round. Two second division B teams, Real Unión and Ourense, went through to the last 16 after defeating first division sides. Real Unión followed up their victory against Valladolid in the last round by beating neighbours Alavés, a late goal by Luis putting them through on the away goal rule. The team from the northern border town of Irún actually have won the cup three times in their history, in 1918, 1924 and 1927, and were one of the ten original teams in the first Spanish league in 1928, although they only lasted four years before being relegated, and only returned to second B two seasons ago after over 30 years languishing in the lower divisions. Real Unión's prize for their victory was a fourth round match against Atlético Madrid. Gallician club Ourense also provided one of the week's surprises, eliminating a depleted Mallorca side in their home ground after drawing away. They were rewarded with a next round draw against Barcelona, who struggled to beat second division B side Poli Almería, with the match almost going to extra time before two goals in the last three minutes from Xavi and Rivaldo. Another nail went in to the coffin of Betis manager Timoteo Griguol, as his side were knocked out by Mérida of the second division A, with a first half goal from Alex. In the three all first division matches, Rayo Vallecano weathered the Athletic Bilbao storm to go through, Deportivo did likewise at Málaga, and Zaragoza cruised to a 1-4 victory at Santander. In other matches, new signing Manel got a goal on his debut for Espanyol, and Celta finished off Sporting with a four two victory, with Turdó and McCarthy playing together and both scoring. The downside was the loss of Juanfran for most of the rest of the season. The hairdresser full back was rushed to hospital with a fractured skull after a clash of heads with Yago. Meanwhile Atlético de Madrid and Oviedo scraped through with tight matches against second division clubs Las Palmas and Logroñes. The all second division ties ended up with victories for Villarreal against Barakaldo, for Compostela against Tenerife and for Lleida against Eibar. In a typical piece of poor improvisation apparently designed to make the competition even less attractive, the organisers decided that teams participating in European competitions would be seeded in the next round, and that lesser division clubs would play the first leg at home. Thankfully the pairings for the next round drew together at least one good match, Real Madrid, (who were exempt from the third round due to their participation in the club world championships) to play Zaragoza. First leg matches will be played on or around Wednesday next week, with the return legs on 2nd February.

The full draw was as follows:
Zaragoza - Real Madrid
Ourense - Barcelona
Real Unión - Atlético de Madrid
Espanyol - Celta Vigo
Osasuna - Deportivo de La Coruña
Mérida - Oviedo
Compostela - Villarreal
Lleida - Rayo Vallecano

See our cup section for full results and scorers.