The FIATC Girona concluded its preseason preparations at the 47th Lliga Catalana ACB with an 84-95 defeat against Asisa Joventut at the Palau d’Esports Catalunya in Tarragona, according to tournament match reports. The encounter wrapped up group play for both clubs on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, leaving Girona winless in the regional tournament as head coach Moncho Fernández works to integrate a heavily rebuilt roster ahead of the upcoming Liga ACB season.
A High-Scoring Opening and Early Defensive Struggles
Neither squad carried championship stakes into Friday’s finale, as both Joventut and Girona had already been mathematically eliminated from reaching Sunday’s tournament final. That lack of initial tension showed on the floor. Joventut guards Ricky Rubio and Nicolás Laprovittola pushed the pace in transition, while Girona relied on scoring bursts from Mac McClung and Pep Busquets to keep the score close at 28-24 by the end of the first quarter.
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The rhythm shifted in the second frame when Joventut tightened its defensive pressure. Girona began to unravel under the duress, committing 13 turnovers before halftime. Capitalizing on those mistakes, the Badalona side strung together a 9-1 run to build a 37-25 advantage by the 14th minute. Despite a late push, Girona went into the locker room facing a 42-33 deficit.
Perimeter Shooting and New Additions
Joventut’s outside shooting ultimately dictated the second half, punishing Girona’s rotating defenses. The match also marked the debut of recent Joventut signing Eli John Ndiaye. The power forward, playing on loan from Real Madrid following an announcement earlier that Friday, contributed 7 points in nearly 15 minutes of action.
Girona fought back multiple times in the second half. A 7-0 run cut the deficit to 66-59 late in the third quarter, and subsequent efforts from Dominykas Stenionis—including a buzzer-beater three-pointer—along with interior scoring from Nikola Marić kept the score respectable. Marić led Girona with 15 points, while Stenionis and Whittaker added 9 and 11 points respectively. However, steady execution from Rubio and Laprovittola stymied every Girona comeback attempt.
Looking Ahead to the Liga ACB Opener
For Moncho Fernández’s side, the tournament served primarily as a stress test for an incomplete roster dealing with injuries and a lack of competitive rhythm.
The FIATC Girona will now turn its attention to the opening fixture of the Liga ACB regular season, where they are scheduled to host UCAM Murcia at Fontajau in two weeks. Fans and analysts looking for official team updates and fixture schedules can monitor the club’s official Basquet Girona portal.
