FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.12.2009 21:43

Barca Borges pushed to the final whistle (26-29)

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Barca Borges had to dig deep to come away from Logroño with the points after Naturhouse La Rioja pushed them hard.

The penultimate game of the first half of the season was full of tension and Naturhouse came storming out determined to take the game with Parra, Bashkin and Amargant in particular causing Barca all kinds of problems. It needed a very hard working second half from the team to make sure that two more points came back from the trip to La Rioja.

Led by Parra and Amargant, the hosts started strong in attack and dominated Barca in defence as they took an early 3-0 lead. FC Barcelona came back with three goals of their own and as the lead swapped various times, Rubén Garabaya imposed himself on the game and began to dictate the play.

Barca were at their most aggressive and when Amargant was sent off on 18 minutes, they took the opportunity to break the game with Laszlo Nagy rounding off a four goal flurry to take them 9-12 up. However, just when it seemed Barca were about to take off, the hosts hit back with Gurutz unbeatable between the sticks, Parra looking lethal in attack and Amargant decisive in key moments, such as his goal just on half time to make it 14-13.

Barca scored three quick goals after the break (14-16), but Naturhouse again hit back and retook the lead at 18-17. However, Laszlo Nagy's strike to make it 21-22 seemed to end Rioja's resistance and together with Rutenka, the Hungarian made sure that the visitors fought through to a 26-29 final win.