FCBARCELONA.CAT

26.04.2008 21:52

Real Madrid dominates in Vistalegre (90 –73)

Sònia de Alba

AXA Barça lost on Real Madrid’s court by 17 points of a difference. The leader of the regular phase knew how to control the game as the minutes passed. Barça, however can still opt for second place.

Without Jaka Lakovic, out of the team, in the end, due to the bruised hip he received in the friendly in ‘El Montanyà’, the start to this classic was notable. Without making any great defences, the attack generated great expectations and these were accomplished. Iturbe and Acker scored the first triples. Neither of the two teams was allowing their arm to be twisted. The first period finished with a tight result: 27-27.

The triples marked the difference

The equality at the end of the first 10 minutes was maintained until the break. Barça had even managed to dominate the scoreboard by five points (33-38) half way through the second quarter.

It was then that the outside shots of Joan Plaza’s men opened up cracks. The first was Raül López. Madrid’s Catalan back liner played a very complete game. With three triples in under three minutes, his team turned the score around and gained an advantage of six points (48-42).

Kerem Tunçeri joined the round of triples and the quarter finished 53-44, the maximum up to now.

Madrid make the most of the rebound

At the restart, Xavi Pascuals boys came out with strength still. The zonal defence continued doing damage. A block by Fran Vázquez on Bullock and a triple from Roger Grimau cut back the score and put them six points behind (55-49). But the visitors forces were ruined when Axel Hervelle turned up everywhere. The winger demonstrated his task as a team player. This third period was marked for its rebounds. Mumbrú, Tunçeri and, yet again, López closed the part by 74-55, anew high for Madrid.

Raül López controled the game

Even though behind on the scoreboard, Barça never threw in the towel. But Real Madrid kept growing. Raül López closed his participation with 19 points and an evaluation of 16. Vistalegre chorused the name of the back liner when Plaza took him off so as to hear the recognition of the fans. The game was already over. 90-73.

Mario Kasun made a comeback in the second period. The pivot lacks rhythm of games. Against the all whites he saw himself outplayed by his opposite number. Gary Neal also appeared on the court. The North American wasn’t on target either.

AXA Barça could still finish second in the regular phase. This would come about on Sunday were DKV Joventut to lose to Unicaja in Malaga. This defeat would also mean that Madrid would be mathematically leader, and the European place for the whites. Subsequently, the green and blacks would have to lose another game and Barça would have to assure two victories in the two remaining league games.

Hommage to Sergio Luyk

During the break the family of Sergio Luyk condolences for the player who died on the 30th of March at the age of 34. His parents, the ex-player Clifford Luyk and the model Paquita Torres, and his two brothers received a plaque from the hands of the president of Real Madrid, Ramon Calderón. AXA FC Barcelona shared in this heartfelt homage.