MEN’S FOOTBALL: Real Madrid’s recent setbacks continued in new manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s first game on Wednesday night when they lost 3-2 at second division strugglers Albacete to crash out of the Spanish Cup. 

Gonzalo Garcia had equalised for Madrid in stoppage time only for Albacete’s on-loan striker Jefte Betancor-Sanchez to win the game three minutes later with his second goal of the match that sealed their place in the quarter-finals.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: London Lions took another step towards failing to reach the EuroCup play-offs after a catastrophic third quarter saw them slip to a heavy 88-63 at Turk Telecom Ankara on Wednesday. The Lions had led 32-30 at half-time. 

London will now have to win at least three of their last four games to reach the end-of-season competition. They face Germany’s Ulm at the Copper Box Arena next week.

ICE HOCKEY: Nottingham Panthers opened their Continental Cup campaign with a 4-0 win over Latvia’s HK Mogo on Wednesday evening. 

A win in Friday night’s game against Katowice will ensure that the Panthers reach Saturday’s final on their home ice. 

Nottingham are attempting to become the first Elite League team to win the trophy twice after finishing as champions in 2017 and runners-up in 2020.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Rangers kick off the Scottish Cup fourth round on Friday evening when they take on League Two’s Annan Athletic at Ibrox. Annan are currently 36 places below the Light Blues. 

Holders Aberdeen host Championship side Raith on Sunday before Celtic round up the action on Monday night against non-league Auchinleck Talbot at Kilmarnock. Fellow part-timers Camelon Juniors are at home to Elgin City on Saturday.