15.05.2009 22:28

First finalist (1-3)

Sònia de Alba

Barça Sorli Discau has beaten Alnimar Reus Deportiu in the third game in their OK League semi-final. The Catalans have thus become the first finalists of the season.

Missing key players (Carlos López and Alberto Borregán are suspended), Barça Sorli Discau went to Reus to get the win they needed to get through to the final and were successful in their quest.

The team stayed focussed and worked hard in defence to create opportunities for attack. Masoliver found the net in the dying moments of the first half, while Lluís Teixidó, assisted by Sergi Panadero, made it 0-2 at the start of the second. Pedrito Gil pulled one back for the home side to set up an exciting finish but Masoliver sealed the win with a powerful drive just two minutes from time.

Barça is the first team to reach the final of the OK League. The other semi-final between Liceo and Vic has gone to the fourth game with a win for Liceo enough to put them through. If Vic win, the tie-breaking fifth game will have to played at Vic.

Gil leads the line

Alnimar Reus Deportiu were missing Matías Platero who, like Borregán, got a straight red in the second game.

His absence forced Figueroa to rework his plans and Pedrito Gil and Marc Gual controlled the game for the home side.

Gil showed his class first. In the 5th minute he had a fine shot turned away, and followed that up by forcing a turnover which none of his teammates could turn home.

For Barça Jordi García hit the woodwork from a free hit.

Reus continue to pressure

Reus were piling on the pressure and Barça were having defensive positional problems throughout the first ten minutes. Then the rotations began which helped Barça Sorli Discau gain more control of the ball. Miquel Masoliver was the only senior player to come off the bench, as the rest of the team (Ferrer – who had a few minutes in the first half – Rosa and Vergés) was made up of juniors.

Panadero sent in a cross which David Páez almost stuck away.

Jordi Molet also went close for Reus after a Toni Sánchez assist. Seconds later Marc Gual almost opened the scoring as well.

Sánchez and Molet then combined again to create another chance which Egurrola did well to nullify.

Barça take the lead

Barça had expected Reus to come out strongly and sound defence enabled them to make a two-on-one break as an assist from David Páez enabled Miquel Masoliver to score the first goal of the game.

Before the break Gil again tested out Egurrola with the last chance of the first half.

Higher tempo

The second half began at a higher tempo. Marc Gual went close once again.

Barça then had three chances in quick succession. First, Mia Ordeig was beaten to the punch by Guillem Trabal.

30 seconds later Sergi Panadero stole the ball off Negro Páez but couldn’t beat the home keeper in a one-on-one.

Then Ordeig forced another turnover, only to see Trabal save with his foot.

Second goal

Finally Barça Sorli Discau got their second as Panadero brought the ball out of defence and a fine assist put in Teixidó to make it 0-2 in the 31st minute.
Wide open

Reus kept on battling and their fans kept cheering them on and protesting about controversial plays.

One of these led to a foul for Reus and a blue card for Teixidó, but Pedrito Gil was unable to score.

Barça continued to win turnover ball but when one of their counterattacks broke down, the home side took full advantage to break in their turn and Gil forced the ball home to make it 1-2. With just eight minutes left on the clock, suddenly the game was wide open again.

All out attack

It was thrilling stuff. The last five minutes of the game saw both sides go onto the offensive, as Barça wanted the cushion of an extra goal and Reus were determined to stay in the tie.

Then up stepped Miquel Masoliver who decided the game with a shot past Trabal to produce the final score of 1-3.