FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.03.2007 21:00

A triumph of teamwork (85-95)

Winterthur FC Barcelona secured a victory from their visit to San Fernando (85-95) on Saturday. It was a game in which Barça demonstrated their strength as a unit with the second quarter proving decisive.

The win in Sevilla (85-95) was a real team effort. Up to seven Barça players scored more than 10 rating points (Basile, Trias, Lakovic, Navarro, De la Fuente, Vázquez and Kakiouzis), in what was a memorable team display that included a total of 20 assists. The accuracy of the shooting from the three-pointer line in the first quarter was decisive in building the platform for Barça’s ninth win in their last 10 ACB league games.

Interior play the key

With Navarro starting on the bench, Winterthur FC Barcelona focused their early attack on interior play. Vázquez and Trias, who in the 6th minute already had 2 personal fouls, connected well with each other and scored a total of 16 points between them in the first quarter. Lakovic was the provider of numerous assists, while Kakiouzis took over from Trias and was also very effective. All four were prominent in the early stages as Barça edged in front 15-20 after 8 minutes.

Decisive three-pointers

Bit by bit, Ivanovic’s team began to balance out their attacking play and three-point scores became more a feature of the game. In the first half Barça recorded an 80% (8/10) scoring rate from three-point range. Lakovic and De la Fuente, scored two while Ukic, Navarro, Basile and Kakiouzis scored one each. That statistic gave Barça a decisive lead on the scoreboard in the second quarter. With Navarro leading by example as always, Barça’s biggest lead was 15 points (35-50) just before half time. The score at the midway interval was a healthy 40-52 in favour of the visitors.

Interchange of scores

Caja San Fernando began the second half determined to turn the game around. Videnov with 13 points in the third quarter helped the Seville team to cut the distance to just 7 points (53-60). Barça however responded quickly to preserve their advantage with Navarro and Vasquez in particular performing well.

Final duel

With 10 minutes remaining the score was 66-75, but a scoring surge from the locals who managed 8 points without reply brought the score to 74-77 and leaving everything to play for in the final eight minutes. However, Barça were able to demonstrate their maturity as a team and did not relinquish the lead in the final minutes. Alexander and Navarro took on the responsibility for their respective teams, but the alert Barça defence and quick counter attacks by Kakiouzis helped the visitors hold off the home teams challenge. Winterthur FC Barcelona finally emerging victorious 85-95 and thus sealed their ninth win in their last ten ACB League games. Next week Ivanovic’s team host the leaders Real Madrid who on Saturday lost at home to Gran Canaria.