Barcelona suffer embarrassing
cup defeat

Barcelona's disastrous season took another embarrassing turn for the worse when they lost to fourth division Balaguer in the Catalan Cup final.

Barca fielded nine of their first team squad on Wednesday night, including Spanish internationals Luis Enrique, Carles Puyol, Xavi and Alfonso.

But the first division giants could manage no better than a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes before losing 4-3 on penalties.

Barcelona, knocked out at the group stage of the Champions League, have two more chances to salvage something from what has been a desperate campaign.

Carles Rexach's side can claim a place in next season's Champions League qualifiers if they beat Valencia in their final first division game at the Nou Camp on Sunday. The following week they play Celta Vigo in the semifinals of the King's Cup.