14.03.2009 23:56

Champions! (5-2)

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Barça have won the League after beating Puigcerdà 5-2 in the second playoff game. Evgueny Semeriak’s men came from two nil down to win with a hat-trick by Pablo Muñoz and two strikes by Jonas.

Barça picked up the League Champions title for 2008/09 in the second playoff game. Seven years after their last triumph they are once again the best side after finishing top in the regular season and winning the playoffs.

Initial lead

Puigcerdà were determined to put on the pressure to force a third game and immediately took the lead.

First skipper Salva Barnola beat Ander Alcaide while a minute later Echevarría sent the travelling fans into rapture with their side’s second goal.

But Barça soon fought back and Pablo Muñoz made it 1-2 just three minutes later.

Chain reaction

The speed of the game helped the home side take control in the first third and dominate the second.

Puigcerdà wouldn’t take a backward step but Barça equalised after two minutes in the period when Swede Jonas Norberg smacked home the goal that made it 2-2.

Then came the third from Pablo Muñoz as he netted his second.

Jonas then made it 4-2 to effectively kill off the game, though the home fans still looked anxiously at the clock in case Puigcerdà might spring another surprise. But it wasn’t to be and Muñoz got his third to round off a great season and make it 5-2.

40-year-old veteran skipper Enrique Zapata then lifted the trophy with a tear in his eye and a big smile on his face.

King’s Cup next week

After the celebrations Barça will get back to work for the King’s Cup and their semi-final which is also against Puigcerdà. It will be decided by a single game on Saturday 21 March. The other semi-final will be between the winners of Majadahonda v Gasteiz and Jaca v Txuri Urdin.

The final is in Logronyo on 28 March.