FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.01.2010 22:39

10 out of 10 (85-70)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barça completed a clean sweep in the regular season of the Euroleague when they beat Montepaschi to make it ten wins in ten games on Thursday evening and the Blaugrana secured top spot in Group A.

The home team in the Palau Blaugrana were up against the only team that could have pipped them to first place, but a convincing display ensuerd that the Italians had to settle for the runners-up position. Ricky Rubio stood out from the start as he ensured that Barça did not allow their opponents any time to settle and he went on to score 14 points and provide ten assists.

After going 11-2 ahead the hosts did not look back as no less than six FC Barcelona players chalked up double digits. Along with Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro, Boni N'Dong and Fran Vazquez, Denis Marconato, Pete Mickeal and Terence Morris also scored ten or more while David Hawkins led the way for the visitors with a haul of 19 to his name

Montepaschi did not let the Catalan side have everything their own way as they saw a 20-9 lead quickly whittled down to 22-15 after the visitors netted six points without reply.

Rest and recuperation

The second quarter saw Gianluca Basile open the scoring as both teams began to run before Vazquez added free throws to take Barça 28-18 ahead. Hawkins and Vazquez then exchanged baskets before the home team pulled clear as Rubio and Navarro returned to the court after being afforded a few minutes rest by coach Xavi Pascual.

At the back Barça were looking more and more secure and Siena had difficulty finding space to shoot, but Sato did manage to sink some free throws to keep his side within touching distance. The scoreline saw the visitors head into the half-time break just five points behind at 40-35.

That gap was closed even further in the opening minutes of the third period when McIntyre netted to make it 42-40, but that was as close as Montepaschi came to Barça as six unanswered points pushed the home side clear.

Forward momentum

Despite having the advantage in forward momentum, the away team were unable to take advantage and only Henry Domercant's free throws broke up Barça's scoring run. Baskets were then exchanged and the fourth quarter was always going to be about the local team ensuring that they stayed ahead as they went into it 60-49 in the lead.

There were just five points in it when Hawkins netted two consecutive threes early in the last period, but when Barça added more poInts themselves through N'Dong there w3as not way back for the visitors.

N'Dong proved to be the player of the quarter as he netted another basket and kept the Blaugrana pushing forward in some style. Mickael's late free throws ensured that Eze's points were not going to affect the outcome.