FCBARCELONA.CAT

01.03.2007 23:05

Decided in the final period (82-73)

Winterthur FC Barcelona achieved their second victory in the top 16, in a tough game which was decided in the last period. With 24 points, Navarro was the key player in the match up.

In the top 16, it is important to be unbeatable at home. Ivanovic’s men achieved their second victory thanks to a great last period. Navarro with 24 points (21 in the second half), Lakovic with 15, and Trias, Vazquez and Marconato working valiantly, combined to bring victory at Palau against Efes (82-73). The win carries extra value as despite Efes losing 3 games, they find themselves in direct competition with Barça.

Three point line battle

Both teams started well and were creating chances for the three pointer shots. In the opening phase, Basile and Erden won the merits; the Italian was the best blaugrana player in the opening stages, scoring several three pointers and assisting his team mates. A three pointer from Navarro gave Barça an early 13-9 lead. However, Efes, with Haislip leading the charge, found their way back into the game and denied Barça the opportunity to open up a lead. At the end of the first quarter, it was Efes who had the slight advantage (17-20).

Good Defence

WInterthur FC Barcelona came out strong in the second period; scoring 7 without reply through a triple from Grimau and baskets from Trias and Vasquez. As of this moment, Barça put on a strong defence denying the team from Turkey the easy score. Only Haislip and Erden seemed able to find gaps in the defence and score from distance. Efes only managed to score 10 points in the second quarter, Barça on the other hand, were able to get points on the board from close range from Lakovic, Trias and Fran Vasquez.

A triple blow

Both teams came out in the third period intent on imposing their mark on the game. Navarro and Lakovic for the blaugrana, and Nicholas and Erden for Efes took centre stage in authentic three point line battle. Nicholas kept his side in it with 10 points, which brought his team back into contention (52-50). Barça seemed a little pegged back, although a last minute flurry of points took the teams into the final period on level terms (59-59).

The Navarro effect

Kakiouzis’ initial five points and the vibrant atmosphere in el Palau brought about a reaction from the home roster and in particular, Navarro. The ensuing result could not have been anything other than a win for the blaugrana, despite Erden and Nicholas causing the home crowd to hold their breaths on occasions. However, with five minutes remaining, Navarro came alive and firmly stamp his mark as a timely leader by scoring two triple pointers in quick succession (76-70). The introduction of Marconato served to dampen Efes’ hopes of staging a comeback in the latter stages and in the end, Ivanovic’s men bagged their second victory in the top 16.