Real Betis' Benito Villamarin picked as Copa del Rey final venue

Real Betis' Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville has been chosen to host the final of the 2018-19 Copa del Rey, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Monday.

It will be the first time since 2002-03 that the final is not played in any of Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia, with the Martinez Valero in Elche hosting on that occasion.

Betis could yet end up playing in the final itself, having reached the quarter-finals and drawn 1-1 away to Espanyol in the first leg.

City rivals Sevilla are also still in the competition and beat holders Barcelona 2-0 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan across town in the first part of their two-legged contest.

Seville last hosted the Copa del Rey final in 2000-01, when Real Zaragoza beat Celta Vigo 3-1 in the city's La Cartuja stadium, built as a potential Olympics venue.

The final will be played on May 25.

OFICIAL | El Benito Villamarín acogerá la final de la #CopaDelRey el próximo sábado 25 de mayo. https://t.co/ttjeSHIqlq pic.twitter.com/lvkz1g67fH

— RFEF (@rfef) January 28, 2019