The Copa del Rey is one of the most prestigious basketball tournaments in Europe. In fact, it is the first nationwide competition played in Spain.

After half the Liga ACB season is over, the top eight teams qualify for the Copa del Rey. The teams will then play in a single venue in a knockout format.

This year the Copa del Rey will be played at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona. The qualified teams are Caja Laboral, Lagun Aro GBC, FC Barcelona Regal, Lucentum Alicante, Unicaja, Banca Civica, Real Madrid, and  Baloncesto Fuenlabrada.

On February 17, the first two quarter finals match-ups will be aired on BTV. The game featuring Caja Laboral versus Lagun Aro GBC will be aired at 2 am with a replay at 3 pm followed by the game between FC Barcelona Regal and  Lucentum Alicante which airs live at 4:30 am with by a replay at 5 pm.

The next day will feature the other two quarter finals match-ups as Unicaja battles Banca Civica 2 am with replays at 7 am and 3 pm while Real Madrid faces Baloncesto Fuenlabrada at 4 am with replays at 12 noon and 5 pm.

The winners of these four games will face each other in the semi-finals scheduled on February 19 at 1 and 3:30 am and the Finals of the Copa del Rey will be aired live on February 20 at 1 am with replays at 7 am, 12 noon, and 5 pm.

Don’t miss this chance to get acquainted with one of the fiercest basketball competitions in Europe with the 2012 Copa del Rey.

Who know? You might watch something like this.