Copa de Espana

The Copa de Espana, Spain's premier cup competition,
will be played at Valencia's Fuente de San Luis --
the "Fonteta" -- from Jan. 30 through Feb. 3 next
year.

This is a knock-out competition among the top-seven
teams (at the end of the first half of the season) in
the table and host. With one round to go in the first
half of the season, host Valencia shares berths with
El Pozo Murcia, Playas de Castellon, and Miro
Martorell. The other four places are up for grabs
among Caja Segovia, Antena Tres Boomerang, MRA
Ingeteam Xota, Atletico Boadilla, Carnicer Fiat
Torrejon, and FC Barcelona.

Defending champion Antena Tres Boomerang has had a
frustration season thus far. Despite having added
Brazil's mighty defender Schmuacher to its roster,
the Torrejon club is currently in fifth place, with
seven wins, five losses, and a draw. I personally
have been disppointed with the "green machine" on
the three occasions I have seen them play this
season. The goals only seem to come on individual
efforts, a nasty habit that is perhaps symptomatic
of the selfish style of Schumacher.

League leader El Pozo still has a bona fide legend
in Paulo Roberto and has also been strengthened by
the arrival of Spanish international Kike, an
out-and-out defender with an uncanny scoring touch
(his 16 goals are second only to Paulo Roberto's 23).

League champion Playas de Castellon has added
Brazilian Vander Carioca to the squad, but the
forward's 13 goals pale in comparison to teammate
Joan's 23. Joan's brother Andreu has moved to Miro
Martorell, which is holding the high position of
third in the table at the moment.