FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.10.2008 22:16

A win to extend lead (27-31)

Verònica Díez

Barça Borges are still performing brilliantly in the Asobal. On Thursday the handball team won away to Octavio Pilotes Posada, their sixth consecutive win, to extend their lead at the top of the table.

Manolo Cadenas’ didn’t have it all their own way. The Galicians dominated early on and played it extremely tough in defence. It was anybody’s game at the break, the scoreline at 10-9. Barcelona improved in the second half and eventually sealed the win. Jesper Noddesbo and effectiveness up front made the difference.

Thirteen glorious minutes

FC Barcelona Borges knew that their opponents are enjoying some of their best form ever, but things didn’t get off to a bad start at all. Barça scored first and looked confident on the court. Boldsen made it 4-7 to put the visitors three ahead for the first time in the 13th minute. It was then that goalkeeper Xavi Díaz came into action.

Xavi Díaz and Tavares, lethal

Barça started finding goals harder to come by. Home stars Xavi Díaz and Tavares commanded a 4-0 streak for their side to put Octavio Pilotes Posada in front for the first time in the game (9-8). When Magnus Jernemyr and Rubén Garabaya were excluded towards the end of the half, Barça’s defence suffered because of it and they went into the break a goal down (10-9).

Barça reaction

It only took a minute for Barça Borges to regain superiority, Mikkel Hansen made it 10-10, and immediately after Albert Rocas made it 10-11 on the counter attack. Jesper Noddesbo was leading the Barça play in the second half, and he was then man who made it 13-15 to give his side some breathing space.

Barça improved in all aspects, the defence was more solid and there was more conviction in their attack. The 6-0 defensive system worked well and when they played with a pivot they were able to cause considerable damage. And so they gradually started edging further and further ahead, with a powerful Mikkel Hansen in particular form towards the end of a game that ended 27-31.