Lionel Messi’s first-half goal earned visiting Barcelona a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night and a 3-1 aggregate win over Real Sociedad, setting up their fourth King’s Cup final in six years.
Barca lifted the trophy in 2009 and 2012 but were beaten in the 2011 final by Real Madrid who defeated Atletico Madrid 2-0 on Tuesday and 5-0 on aggregate.
“The team are used to getting to finals and this is a reward for their effort and I accompany them in trying to achieve their aims,” Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said.
Hamburg coach unsure about future
Beleaguered Hamburg coach Bert van Marwijk does not know whether he will still be in charge for tomorrow’s relegation clash at Eintracht Braunschweig, he said after their 5-0 mauling by Bayern Munich.
Wednesday’s home defeat in the German Cup quarter-finals followed six successive league reverses which have left Hamburg one off the bottom of the table.
“I don’t know,” Van Marwijk, who led Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, said.
“I’m not thinking about my job or my career.
“I’m trying my best to prepare my team for the most important game of the year.”
Malaysian fan has dream night
The wild English weather ruined the night for thousands of Everton fans when their game against Crystal Palace was postponed on Wednesday... but a dream came true for one supporter.
Malaysian Rick Wee arrived at Goodison Park to watch his team play live for the first time only to see the match called off due to safety concerns.
“Sadly Everton v Palace called off due to bad weather. Dream to watch EFC play will continue to be on hold,” Wee said on his Twitter feed alongside a picture of his match ticket.
Thanks in part to social media, the club found him before he left the ground and took him to meet manager Roberto Martinez and left-back Leighton Baines.
Moller Nielsen passes away
The former Denmark coach Richard Moller Nielsen, who led the country’s national team to the European Championship in 1992, has died aged 76, the Danish FA said yesterday.
Moller Nielsen had been ill since undergoing an operation for a brain tumour in July last year.
Moller Nielsen coached several Danish clubs, as well as the Finland and Israel national teams.
The highlight was Euro 92 in Sweden, when Denmark were a late replacement in the tournament for the former Yugoslavia, and under Moller Nielsen went on to clinch the title with a 2-0 victory over Germany in the final.
Rush: Suarez is my player of the year
Liverpool forward Luis Suarez’s excellent form should earn him the player of the year award, according to former Reds striker Ian Rush.
Despite the negative publicity that has dogged Suarez throughout his time in England, Rush believes his fellow sharp-shooter deserves the ultimate personal accolade.
Speaking at the launch of the 2014 Welsh Community Football Awards, Rush said: “Suarez is my player of the year for the entire year.
“He is a joy to watch and his work rate is incredible, which has affected Sturridge. He is putting a real shift in as well, and not just when Liverpool have the ball.”
Berbatov winner delights Ranieri
Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri praised the performance of Dimitar Berbatov after the Bulgarian saw his side through to the French Cup quarter-finals.
Berbatov was a deadline-day loan signing from Fulham as Ranieri sought to fill the significant void left by Radamel Falcao’s knee injury.
He made his debut as a substitute against Paris St Germain at the weekend and stepped off the bench again to net the extra-time winner which finally ended the resistance of 10-man Nice on Wednesday.
Ranieri told L’Equipe: “I made a lot of changes because we have to play three games this week and Dimitar Berbatov scored the goal.
“I asked him to play between the lines and he did that well.”
Shaw’s at the right club – Le Saux
Graeme Le Saux believes it is too soon for Southampton’s Luke Shaw to move to Chelsea.
Le Saux, who played for both the Blues and Saints in his illustrious career, believes the 18-year-old left-back is at the right club to continue his development.
Le Saux told Press Association Sport: “I’ve been watching him play quite a lot.
“He has the qualities of an attacking full-back who has a lot of pace and a lot of energy.
“His defending is getting better as he gets more experienced.
“He’s still very young and the more experience he gains for his club and at under-21 level, I feel that he’s in the right place at the moment and his development is crucial.”