FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.03.2007 14:57

The moment of recovery

Winterthur FC Barcelona have not tasted defeat in the Palau Blaugrana for just over four months in the ACB League. The last time the team lost was against Bruesa (65-67), but that match proved to be a turning point for Dusko Ivanovic's team.

The encounter proved to be a strange one as the statistics show how inconsistent Barça were througout. After winning the first quarter 28-14, the Blaugrana went into the half-time break 42-31 ahead, but in the third quarter the Basque Country outfit bounced back. The third period was a problematic time for the team in the opening games of the season and so it proved again against Bruesa. The flowing play that was evident in the opening two periods disappeared completely and after ending the third quarter ahead by just three points (52-49), Barça could not hold in the closing minutes and ended up losing by a couple of points.

Strong turnaround

The defeat, which was the third of the season after the team had already lost to Gran Canaria and TAU, did see a reaction from the player. Since then a run of consistent form has ensued and as well as riding high in the ACB League and qualifying for the next stage of the Euroleague, the basketball Copa del Rey was captured in Málaga, when Barça defeated Real Madrid in the final.

On the domestic front, the Blaugrana have now registered ten wins in their last 11 games, with the only reverse coming In the Canaries. In Europe, the record is equally good as the team have chalked up a record of 9-1, with their best performances coming in the Palau Blaugana. CSKA Moscow has been the only team that has beaten Ivanovic's outfit this term in the Euroleague.