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Bilbao end Barça dream again

AXA Barça went out of the Copa del Rey after losing 70-69 to Iurbentia Bilbao in the quarters, putting an early end to Barça’s defence of the title.

Vitoria 2008 was a short visit for AXA FC Barcelona who came straight back home after losing the first game of the Copa del Rey to Iurbentia Bilbao Basket. Txus Vidorreta’s side had already inflicted misery on Barça in the Supercopa ACB. The Basque side seemed to have Barça in the palms of their hands, and made sure of the win in the dying throes of the game.

Iurbentia Bilbao showed why they deserved to be in the eight-team tournament, where they were one of the seeded teams. Second in the first half of the ACB League, they put out fifth placed Barça in the opening match.

Marcelinho Huertas, excellent

Much of Iurbentia’s success came down to Marcelinho Huertas, even though the leadership of the Bilbao team had been entrusted to Javier Salgado. The player on loan from Joventut scored 18 points and 8 assists, and Barça were powerless to stop him.

Barça react

But Barça did not let their heads drop despite an early onslaught on their basket. Iurbentia never managed to break away and Barça debutante Gary Neal made it 39-34 to the Catalans at the break. The second half started shakily for both sides. AXA Barça looked to have the slight edge at 42-41, but neither side was in complete control.

It remained that way until the final period. Iurbentia put their collective foot on the gas to go ten ahead at 66-56, but Barça were still not conceding defeat. Roger Grimau scored four on the trot and some Basque offensive errors meant Barça were right back in it at 68-66 with just a minute and a half to play.

Close finish

But Barça fell short. Marconato was fouled for time in the zone, and Dusko Ivanovic’s team’s failure to make things count on the paint was countered by an amazing Huertas assist for Banik, while free throws played out the clock for the game to end 70-69 against AXA Barça’s interests.