Vizcaya’s lower-league football clubs faced a demanding draw in the opening round of the Copa del Rey, highlighted by Barakaldo CF traveling over 500 kilometers to face CF Reus Reddis, while SD Amorebieta and Club Portugalete secured historic regional pairings against familiar rivals UD Logroñés and Real Unión, according to reports from El Correo.
While Athletic Club drew the winner of AE Prat-Sant Rafel and Sestao River prepares to host top-flight side RCD Espanyol, the region’s remaining three participants experienced a mixed-fortune draw that ruled out more lucrative or shorter-distance ties. The pairings set up long travel burdens for one side and fierce regional battles for the others in the historic knock-out competition.
Barakaldo Faces Long Travel to Reus
Barakaldo entered the draw knowing they would face an away fixture against another Segunda Federación club, with potential destinations ranging from regional neighbors like Amorebieta and Portugalete to distant grounds across Spain. The club ultimately drew one of the most demanding logistical outcomes available.
The Biscay side will travel more than 500 kilometers to Catalonia to face CF Reus Reddis at the Municipal Stadium of Reus, a venue with a capacity of over 4,000 spectators. Reus Reddis was founded in 2021 following the dissolution of Reus Deportiu and earned promotion to Segunda Federación after finishing fourth last season and reaching the promotion play-offs. The Catalan side has endured a difficult start to the current campaign, sitting 13th in the relegation play-out zone with six points from their opening five matches.
Amorebieta Will Host Unbeaten UD Logroñés
Both Amorebieta and Portugalete held a 12.5 percent probability of drawing a Segunda División opponent, with Girona, Eibar, Andorra, and Sabadell in the pool. They also faced potential ties against Primera Federación sides or even a direct derby against Barakaldo, which narrowly missed materializing as the balls were drawn.
Instead, Amorebieta will host UD Logroñés at Urritxe. The Riojan club leads Group 1 of Primera Federación, remaining unbeaten through their first six matches with five wins and one draw. The two clubs share an extensive history from their years together in the former Segunda B, Segunda División, and Primera RFEF. Their most recent league meeting at Urritxe last season ended in a 2-1 victory for Amorebieta, managed at the time by Aitor Zulaika. The sides also met in the Copa del Rey in December 2020 at Urritxe, where Amorebieta secured a 1-0 win thanks to a goal by Mikel Álvaro under then-coach Iñigo Vélez de Mendizabal.
Portugalete Welcomes Real Unión to La Florida
Newly promoted Segunda Federación side Club Portugalete will host Real Unión at La Florida in another matchup rooted in regional football history. Real Unión secured promotion to Primera Federación last summer after winning Group 2 and currently sits ninth in the third tier with two wins, two draws, and two losses.
The teams last met in league competition on March 21, 2021, in the former Segunda B, where Portugalete claimed a 2-1 victory through goals from Thaylor and Mario Musy. The two clubs also crossed paths in the Copa del Rey on September 14, 2005, at La Florida, where Real Unión recorded a 1-0 victory with a goal scored by Sergio Francisco, currently the manager of Burgos and formerly in charge of Real Sociedad.
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