FCBARCELONA.CAT

19.06.2007 22:22

ACB League needs big comeback (83-80)

Cristina Collado

Winterthur Barça have lost game two in the best-of-five ACB Finals Series, and now need to win all three remaining matches to deny Real Madrid of the title. But they will have home court advantage for the next two matches.

Barça slipped to 11 behind but bounced back to lead in the final period, 64-65, with six minutes to go. But Real Madrid sneaked it in the end and now face an uphill struggle in their quest to become basketball champions of Spain.

Madrid strong in defence

The game started with Madrid cancelling out most of Barcelona’s offensive work. Moiso opened the scoring for the home side and Madrid stayed ahead until the final period. They soon marched into a commanding six-point league, but a Basile score on the buzzer ended a tight first period at 23-21.

0-9 streak

A Bullock (27 points) three pointer, followed by two free throws, set Madrid off to a fine start in the second period. Seven down, Winterthur Barça were struggling with concentration and an impressive Reyes (also 27 points) put his team eleven ahead.

Barça fought back on the counter attack. Kakiouzis and Navarro scored two impressive baskets, and immediately after, a Winterthur Barça steal led to Basile converting one of his successful three point attempts (4/6). Marconato rounded off a nine-point streak for Barça that meant things were still wide open at half time 40-37.

Kakiouzis brings hope

The third quarter started well for Barça. Navarro’s scores closed the gap to two (44-42), but just as Barça were threatening to draw level, Madrid ran away with six straight points.

Barça still pressed on. Kakiouzis (17 points) continued to be the master on the counter attack, and at one point the visitors drew back to within just a point (57-56, min. 30), a difference that had widened by the end of the third period (61-57).

Late flurry not enough

The final ten minutes produced some thrilling hoops, and Barça came within a whisker of tying the series. A Lakovic triple on 34 minutes put Barça ahead for the first time in the match (64-65). A Navarro 2+1 kept Barça in it as the scoring at Vistalegre went 71-71, 73-73, 75-75. But a Reyes score with just 28 seconds left set things up for a tactical battle until the end, with Barça always playing catch-up against the clock, and ultimately it was not to be. No side has ever come back from 2-0 down in an ACB final series, but that is now precisely what Ivanovic’s side will be called upon to do.