The Royal Spanish Football Federation headquarters will host a notable event next Wednesday, November 15, at 13:00 local time, as the Copa del Rey second round draws are finalized. This stage marks a new chapter for clubs across Spain, with Alicante province showcasing three representatives that have survived the early rounds. Eldense, Elche, and Orihuela emerged from the pot after Hércules was eliminated in the previous round, creating the possibility that some Alicante sides could meet one another in the coming fixtures. The alignment of teams in this round adds additional layers of regional interest to the national spectacle and highlights the continued depth of talent in the province. [RFEF press release attribution]
For clubs competing under LaLiga Hypermotion, the pairings bring a mix of strategic options. Sebastián Beccacece and Fernando Estévez’s squads find themselves with several potential paths when matched against First Federation opponents. Possible opponents include Málaga, Deportivo de La Coruña, Castellón, Antequera, Arenteiro, Linares, Lugo, Melilla, Unionistas de Salamanca, and Sestao River. There is also the chance to be drawn against clusters within the same category, with Espanyol or Sporting de Gijón highlighted as among the most attractive options for a high-stakes matchup. The scenario also leaves open the possibility that Eldense and Elche could rekindle the derby they contested earlier in the league, a clash that would surely captivate supporters across the region. [RFEF press release attribution]
Orihuela, after prevailing over Gimnàstic de Tarragona on penalties in the opening round, stands among the survivors from the Third and Second Federations, positioned to be paired with one of the fifteen teams from the top tier that advanced to the second round. The Vega Baja club’s potential opponents span several of Spain’s most storied sides, including Athletic Club, Valencia, Sevilla, Betis, Villarreal, Real Sociedad, Getafe, Cádiz, Mallorca, Girona, Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas, Almería, Celta de Vigo, and Alavés. The draw promises a dramatic path forward for a team that has already demonstrated resilience in the competition. [RFEF press release attribution]
The Granada region is not expected to be overwhelmed by the draw, even after the exit in the prior round, as teams that were exempt from the second round will now face the challenge of advancing. The draw confirms that the one-game tie between Orihuela and its top-division rival will take place at Los Arcos, with the window set between December 5 (Tuesday) and December 7 (Thursday) of the upcoming month. A total of 56 teams remain in contention, meaning the second round will feature 28 tightly contested matches that will shape the remainder of the competition and spotlight emerging talents from across the country. [RFEF press release attribution]