FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.05.2007 22:42

A bad day (75-68)

Sònia de Alba

Winterthur Barça have been beaten 75-68 by Granada in a frenetic game. The Andaluses say goodbye to the season in front to of their own fans with a hard fought victory.

Barça worked hard to establish a lead during the first half of the game but could do nothing to stop Granada inching their way back in front as the minutes passed, The team coached by Dusko Ivanovic had to settle for 22 victories in 33 games.

First blood for Barça

Winterthur Barça started the game strongly, well aware of the difficulties posed by Granada. At the end of the first quarter, Barça led by four points (10-14) and in the second soon established their maximum lead of the night (7 points, 14-21) after an assist by Roger Grimau for Jordi Trias. However, Granada refused to buckle under the pressure and with Jesús Fernández destroying the Barça inside game, managed to arrive at the break just three points behind (26-29).

Granada pull ahead

After the break, Jesus Fernandez began to get the support of men like Pecile and Gianella and by the 23rd minute had put Granada two points ahead (35-33), a lead they held until the end of the third quarter (49-46). The final ten minutes were tense. Grimau and Lakovic levelled the score at 49 and 51 respectively but the Andaluses continued to control the scoreboard. A three-pointer from Pecile and two efforts from Gianella and Padgett gave Granada their maximum lead (69-62). Winterthur Barça went into the final minutes chasing the game but Granada kept their cool and their control of the game. Fernández, with 25 points was the man of the match while for Barça, Navarro’s 20 points and Marconato’s 13 were just not enough.

All eyes on Bruesa v DKV Joventut

Thursday sees the final game of round 33 of the ACB League and DKV Joventut have the chance to overtake Barça if they win away to Bruesa. Barça and Joventut are currently equal on points but Joventut have the basket average in their favour by just one point. This would put them third and push Barça down to fourth ahead of the final game on Sunday 12th May.