FCBARCELONA.CAT

01.04.2007 21:35

The seventeenth is ours! (5-2)

FC Barcelona Sorli is once again champion of the European League after coming back from a goal down to lift the seventeenth European Cup in the Club’s history. The King has recovered his crown.

In a pavilion packed with over 4,000 fans, the final between Barça Sorli Discau and Bassano was always going to be a tough challenge. Coach Quim Paüls was concerned that the partisan home fans might exert too much pressure on the Portuguese officials but despite Orlandi’s early goal, Barça played a patient game, stuck to their game plan, and made superior fitness and quality count. By the end of the game, the Italian fans accepted the evidence of their own eyes and applauded the Barça victory.

Nerves under control

Orlandi’s early goal, after a great pass from Portuguese star Ricardo Pereira, rocked the Barça squad but the players kept their nerve and made their class show. Two quick fire goals from Sergi Panadero and Alberto Borregán turned the game around and just before halftime, Carlitos López, did much to kill off a tiring local team with Barça’s third (1-3).

Locals applaud Barça

After the break, the team coached by Quim Paüls continued to grow in authority. The fitness programme put together by Ramon Riverola for the Final Four proved to be decisive as did the strength in depth of the Barça Squad. This is the seventeenth European Cup/League for the most successful section (in terms of titles won) of the Club.

Sergi Panadero, after an excellent assist from Beto Borregán, and David Páez, thanks to a fine pass from Ordeig, put the result beyond doubt, though a great goal from Orlandi made the final score a little more respectable for the players coached by Pierluigi Breciani. A packed Italian crowd cheered on their team right until the end but then rewarded the Barça players with a huge ovation. The players responded with a lap of honour during which they returned the fans’ applause.