MálagaRoger Grimau’s Barça are still not overshadowing Real Madrid, who were crowned Copa del Rey champions in Málaga (96-85). The Blaugrana team said goodbye to the title in a final quarter in which the white team played with more determination. Without clear offensive references, the culer team could not keep the pulse of a rival that has been one step ahead for years. The combination of muscle and experience of the reigning European champion had no answer.
Vincent Poirier (17 points and 8 rebounds without missing a shot) had a solid game against Barça, who also had problems containing players like Facu Campazzo (18 points and 6 assists), who was chosen MVP, Guerschon Yabusele ( 15 points and 9 rebounds) or Dzanan Musa (15 points).
Despite having suffered the biggest economic cut in the history of the section, Barça’s project has green shoots, but it is still far from Real Madrid’s bet. Jabari Parker (19 points) and Tomás Satoransky (15 points) were two of the most reliable players of the Barcelona team in the final in Malaga. Separated by four chairs, Joan Laporta and Florentino Pérez witnessed the final from the box office.
Grimau started the game with a starting five filled with centimeters; Satoransky, Kalinic, Parker, Da Silva and Vesely. The Catalan coach tried to repeat the risky strategy of the match a few weeks ago by using Da Silva to defend Campazzo. With the lesson learned, Madrid knew how to counteract this approach to take the initiative during a very even first quarter (19-19).
The irruption in the game of Mario Hezonja boosted Madrid’s options. The ex-Barça player, who as a child always chose Barca colors to play on Playstation, scored 12 points in a second period in which neither team was able to open a significant gap on the scoreboard. Between the two sets they only lost three balls in a first half with as much demand as concentration (43-45).
The final increased in intensity as both teams were clear that the champion would be by a few points. Jabari Parker, a player who has surprised by his involvement, knew how to live up to what a game of this difficulty required. The match was very even in the last ten minutes (66-63).
Madrid’s staging in the last quarter was very effective. His success from the three-point line put Barça against the ropes (77-68). Chus Mateo kept Campazzo, Musa, Deck and Yabusele on the floor for more than a quarter of an hour in a row, a very unusual strategy in modern basketball, but the Blaugrana team did not know how to wear them down. With two minutes to go, the difference between the white team was twelve points (91-79).
When Barça were already playing against the clock to look for a comeback, they were penalized for some controversial refereeing decisions. “We have been over-punished at certain times,” Grimau lamented. The Blaugrana team had neither the energy nor the talent to overturn the scoreboard against a much more prepared opponent who knew how to combine moments of roughness with situations in which he imposed his greater experience.
Mini cup culer
The children’s Barça overcame Real Madrid in the final of the Endesa Mini Cup (78-89) and were proclaimed champions of the tournament. Despite being only 12 years old, Mohamed Dabone was the best player in the final with 22 points and 26 rebounds.
2024-02-18 19:21:35
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