First round

The Spanish cup first round draw took place on Friday 10th November, with all 20 first division teams already included in the new-look competition. The first two rounds will be over one leg only, with higher ranked teams playing away at the grounds of their lesser rivals. At the earlier stages, the competition has been regionalized, with 63 teams (Mérida have pulled out) being divided into four regional sections along the lines of second division B groupings. This unfortunately resulted in a lop-sided draw, with 21 teams in the first group and 14 in each of the others. Seven first division teams were grouped into each of the first two groups, five in the third (East Coast) and only Málaga in group four (South). Mathematicians amongst us will realize that that means second division teams in group two (North) were certain to draw a lucrative tie with a first division team in the first round, whereas those in group four only had a one in thirteen chance of doing so. As a result, Gaudix, who are drawn away against a fellow second division B side Ejido, unsuccessfully took legal action to have the draw considered invalid. One team in group one (Madrid, North West & Canary Isles) got a bye through to the second round, (San Sebastian de los Reyes). Once again the federation surprised us with their slightly offbeat logic.

First round matches took place on or around 13th December over one leg. Five first division teams were knocked out, including Real Madrid, who rested almost all their first choice players and were beaten 2-1 by Toledo from second division B. They were joined by Real Sociedad, Málaga and Alavés, also beaten by second divison B sides, and Oviedo, who lost to the second division A leaders Tenerife. Three others from the top flight, Rayo Vallecano, Numancia and Las Palmas, scraped through on penalties.

Results were as follows (teams qualified in bold; aet - after extra time; pp - on penalties):

Bye: San Sebastián de los Reyes