FCBARCELONA.CAT

31.03.2007 19:21

Hard fought victory (77-65)

Despite the final points difference, Winterthur FC Barcelona were made to work hard for this victory, which consolidated the team's position in third place in the league.

The encounter between Barça and Vive Menorca was closely contested, before the experience of Navarro, Kakiouzis and De la Fuente ensured that the Blaugrana gained the upper hand amd ensured that they remain firmly cemented into the top half of the table and maintained their record of being the best team in the second half of the campaign. Former Barcelona star Nacho Rodríguez celebrated his 700th game in the ACB League as he appeared for the Menorcan side.

Strange start

T he visitors to the Palau Blaugrana may be at the foot of the table, but their form in the opening minutes belied their lowly position as they matched Dusko Ivanovic's team. This, added to the large number mistakes made by both teams in the first quarter made it a strange opening to the game. Ricard Casas' outfit opened the scoring, but the hosts bounced back by scoring eight unanswered points to move into a 10-6 lead. The advantage then changed hands again as the Menorcans totted up eight points without reply to move ahead. With all this action it was no surprise when the first break came with the score standing at 18-18. The second quarter followed a similar pattern as Barça were unable to move clear. although it was tough going, Ivanovic's side did go in at half-time 37-31 up.

Crucial minutes

The third period saw Winterthur come out with a renewed vigour and have edged into an 11-point lead, but the away team was not going to give up and continued to chip away at the scoreboard until they had reduced the gap to just three points. Two minutes from the end of the third quarter, Navarro produced the best move of the game with a spectacular triple. The last moves of the period produced five points ahead to give the home team a 56-51 lead going into the final stoppage.

Moving clear

Barça finally clicked and developed a strong display in the final quarter and chalked up an unassailable lead, even though Menorca continued to press. Navarro was key to the hosts' attacking performance again and moved on to become the leading scorer in the game with 23 points.