FCBARCELONA.CAT

11.02.2007 23:03

Defence the key as Barça win Cup (53-69)

Winterthur FC Barcelona produced an astonishing display of basketball to trounce Real Madrid in the Cup Final in Malaga, largely on the basis of some tremendous defending. Tournament MVP Trias, plus Navarro and Lakovic led the Barça scoring.

In the repeat of the last Copa del Rey final to be held in Malaga, in 2001, Barça again came out on top, this time in even more emphatic fashion, winning 53-69. The defence was as solid as could have been hoped for, while in offence Barça had the superior firepower, with Ivanovic's side playing quality, coordinated ball throughout the entire 40 minutes.

Navarro (14 points) and Lakovic (26 evalaution) were the three-point leaders. Trias (named MVP of the tournament) and Vázquez left Reyes impotent under the boards, with Real Madrid never really getting a look in in what turned out to be a surprisingly one-sided event. By the end of the first period, the Catalans were already 16 up, and unlike on occasions in the past, the Barça players kept their concentration and made sure that the margin never decreased to anything that did not suggest their names were already on the trophy. The final score of 53-69 was as convincing a result as that of the quarter finals (62-77) and semi finals (70-84).

Defence outstanding

Winterthur FC Barcelona looked focused from the outset. They were as unbeatable in defence as they have been all week, and stormed in to 1-10 lead after five minutes. Madrid, meanwhile, failed to make amends with their desperate three-point efforts (4/30 in total), and were also failing to make anything out of their defensive rebounds. Navarro and Lakovic, in turn, were producing confident basketball, converting 15 points between them in the first period. Vázquez, in the starting five, was also posting a formidable display, scoring well in what was an impeccable first quarter of the game (5-21).

Low scoring

Barça were as tight in defence in the next period, with Reyes lost for a solution to deal with Vázquez and Trias. At the other end, Navarro was still on song, and Barça were on their way to going 18 up (min.15, 11-29). Only Bullock, who put Madrid's first three-pointer through the hoop after his side had squandered 15 efforts, was able to produce any kind of regularity, but Barça were always able to cancel out his contributions with scores of their own, with the second period ending 10 each, and Barça still well in command at 15-31.

Potential danger

Two slams and a block by Fran Vázquez set the second half going in the Martín Carpena. We saw a timid reaction from Madrid, who suddenly found the way to score and converted 9 unanswered points to claw their way back into a moiré hopeful position (min.24, 24-35). Joan Plaza's side also forced a fourth foul out of Basile, who was not having as good as game as he did in the semis but was nevertheless contributing to his side's defensive might. A Lakovic three and another by Ukic in the final second of the period meant Barça would be going into the last ten minutes with a 12 point cushion, and thankfully they had dealt with what had looked worrying like yet another third period collapse (35-47).

Basketball to be enjoyed

Barça maintained their superiority in the final period, in which we arguably saw the best of the team yet, with the result all but decided by now (min.33, 35-53). Every member of the team did their bit for the cause, Grimau penetrating, Ukic with a three-pointer, Trias imposing on the paint and Madrid failing to produce any kind of meaningful response. It all ended 53-69 to Winterthur FC Barcelona, who thus win the Copa del Rey title for the first time in four years.

Click here to view the full match stats.