FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.03.2008 22:36

The victory, the best part (85-75)

Sònia de Alba

AXA FC Barcelona have beaten CB Granada in a game marked by highs and lows from both teams. The Barça players, knowing they needed a win, occasionally let their nerves get the better of them.

The players were determined to pay back the fans for their support with a victory and a good performance but the pressure unsettled them and complicated the game. Despite this, the win was the important thing and Xavi Pascual’s men chalked up their 19th of the ACB season.

A tense start

Barça started brightly and took the opening six points only to see their efforts negated by an answering six points from the visitors. Italian star Basile was hot and finished the first period with four three-pointers and two free throws. However, the Andalus outfit were not about to roll over and Scepanovic and Udrih in particular kept the points coming. Meanwhile, Pascual’s players needed a bit more concentration to feel comfortable in the game.

A three pointer from Lakovic

Five points from Udrih gave Granada a seven-point surge at the start of the second quarter (19-26).

Then, Barça started to control the rebound – with Fran Vázquez particularly active – and a triple from Ersan Ilyasova pointed the way to a fight back on the scoreboard. Neither side was capable of controlling a game that lacked in quality but a three-pointer on the buzzer from Jaka Lakovic gave Barça a much needed breathing space (46-40).

Barça react

This lead had the desired effect and after the break, AXA Barça looked much calmer. Mario Kasun personified this improvement and dominated the zone against a Granada side weakened by the absence of Curtis Borchardt.

With just under four minutes left on the clock for the end of the third period, Barça opened a 15-point gap.

Tension returns

Barça continued to widen the gap as Grimau, Lakovic and Gary Neal (twice) scored to stretch Barça’s lead to 22 points. But just when it seemed that the game was all but over, Granada went on a 10-point spree, thanks to Page and Udrih, to bring the doubts flooding back.

However, with more enthusiasm than skill, Barça hung on to their 10-point lead to clinch the win.

Acker and Pecile injured

Granada’s Italian star Andrea Pecile took no part in the game due to a knee problem.

Meanwhile, Alex Acker suffered a twisted right ankle, which went unnoticed by the vast majority of the fans in the Palau. He’ll have some tests on Thursday but the signs are that the injury is of little importance.