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BARCELONA, Spain - A matchup worthy of the final will knock out Barcelona or Atletico Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey.Barcelona hosts Atletico on Wednesday in the opening leg, less than two weeks after they met in the league at Camp Nou, where Lionel Messi ended a scoring drought that lasted through six winless meetings with Atletico by scoring once and setting up fellow forwards Neymar and Luis Suarez for a 3-1 victory.Atletico, however, arrives on firm footing after eliminating cup holder and crosstown rival Real Madrid in the round of 16.It will be an intense and tough tie, Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta says. Atletico is a difficult rival. We will have to play our best without making mistakes.Here are some things to know about this weeks quarterfinals:____WHAT CRISIS?: Barcelona appeared to be on the verge of a breakdown before it last faced Atletico on Jan. 11 following a loss at Real Sociedad, the firing of its sports director, and club president Josep Bartomeu calling for early elections.But since then it has roared to four straight lopsided wins by the combined score of 16-1.Messi has been his usual amazing self, with five goals in that span — despite sitting out one match — including his 30th career hat trick for Barcelona at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.THE BOY IS BACK: Fernando Torres two goals to seal Atleticos elimination of Real proved that the 30-year-old striker, who once shone as Atleticos brightest rising talent, can make a strong contribution in his second stint at his boyhood club.With his ability to work well in open space, Torres gives coach Diego Simeone a third option in attack to combine with the bigger Mario Mandzukic and the quicker Antoine Griezmann.Torres likes his teams chances against Barcelona.After Madrid and Barca, there is a third team in Atletico, and it has shown it can beat them, Torres said. We are an uncomfortable rival.V FOR VICTORY: Villarreal hosts Getafe also on Wednesday, with the winner meeting either Barcelona or Atletico in the semifinals.Manager Marcelino Garcia has Villarreal playing both the most vibrant and the most consistent football in Spain.Villarreal has risen into sixth place in the league and has reached the knockout rounds in the Europa League after not losing once in a 15-game span across all competitions.BRUISED BILBAO: With 23 cups, Athletic Bilbao trails only Barcelonas 26 as all-time winners in the competition.And Bilbao visits Malaga on Wednesday needing another strong performance in the cup with pressure increasing on coach Ernesto Valverde after the Basque side lost four of their last five matches.SNEAKY SEVILLA: While Spains top teams get most of the attention, Sevilla is quietly having an excellent campaign and positioning itself to fight for silverware.Six points off the pace in the league with a game in hand against pacesetting Real, Sevilla is also opting to challenge for the cup as it visits Espanyol on Thursday. 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A veteran of 16 NHL seasons, Prospals career was highlighted by him ranking fourth in points scored, third in assists and sixth in games played among all Czech Republic born players in NHL history.SIX QUICK HOOPS THOUGHTS 1. J.R. SMITH (Knicks): I look at the mess in NY and the loss of Tyson Chandlers Defense and Rebounding is huge, this man is not performing anywhere near the level he did as the NBA 6th Man of the Year. Look at his numbers (11.7ppg / 33 FG + 29 3 PT PCT) this season. Not good at all. This is a team with multiple problems, but after the Knicks gave him the contract extension he doesnt look like hes very locked in. You cant count on guys like this 2. TIM DUNCAN (Spurs): How about one for the old guys! He put up 23 points and 21 rebounds on Monday vs. Atlanta, oldest guy to do the 20/20+. He stays in terrific shape and another example of that fact was this game. He epitomizes the savvy veteran who knows how to play to his strengths each night and conserve energy for the defining plays. As long as he stays upright, San Antonio will be in the hunt. He has gotten off to a bit of a slow start but is rounding into shape as the season goes along. 3. TREY BURKE (Jazz): Theyve been waiting patiently for their first round pick out of Michigan to come back from injury. He has arrived—21 points and six assists vs. Houston. Utah has had poor production at that spot this season and Burke will get every opportunity to prove that hes going to be the lead guard in Salt Lake City. There are so many terrific point guards in the league right now; you must have a guy you can trust to run your team. Hes a talented scorer/shooter, now he has to prove that he can run a pro team. 4. RYAN ANDERSON (Pelicans): Tough break losing Anthony Davis to a hand Injury but coach Monty Williams has to love having Anderson back. One of the best shooting step out 4s in the League, loved him in New Jersey and OOrlando.dddddddddddd Hell compete on the boards for you as well and do it within the flow of the offense quite efficiently. Huge to have that floor spacer to set up the spacing and driving lanes for your guards. He does that at a high level, good to see him back. 5. LAWRENCE FRANK (Nets): The former Head Coach of the Pistons and Nets is now out as Jason Kidds top lieutenant. Strange news hearing of his reassignment. I had a nice chat with him last Tuesday night in Toronto and I thought he was a great addition for Kidd. They had a close relationship and now it seems to have come apart under the expectations and pressure of the spotlight. Coaching is a tough business and the most important factor is having everyone on the same page. Obviously, there were differences on philosophy. Rarely do you see a move like this though in season, its very odd. Frank is a good coach, Im sure hell be back on the sidelines down the line. Coaching is a wacky profession. Things in Brooklyn are at the point of dysfunction. 6. WARRIORS FANS: Ive just witnessed an amazing comeback here at Golden State by the Warriors-theyre a very good team. Conversely, I just saw a collapse by the Raptors that has me speechless. This is the absolute lowest point of this season for Dwane Caseys squad. Forget the Basketball and X + Os for a moment, these fans here are awesome, magnificent, terrific and whatever superlative you want to throw out there. For those of you who watched the game you know what I mean. On an early December Tuesday night when many arenas are a morgue this was magical. They stayed behind their team and this is what folks who claim to be basketball fans will agree with me wholeheartedly about. A supportive and passionate crowd does pump a team up and make a HUGE difference. It happened this evening. Wow! ' ' '