Barça Mobicat suffered the worst possible end to what until then had been a dream season. They were seeded for the Cup and end-season play offs, and had by far the best defensive record in the championship. But Pinto put an end to a wonderful season.
Everything was looking rosy in Barça Mobicat’s best ever season. Having leaked just 56 goals,
they had the best defence in the championship, and Fernandao was one of the top scorers with 31
goals. But in the play offs they met newly promoted Pinto, who put a premature end to Barça
Mobicat’s league challenge.
Easily into cup
The first half of the season ended with Barça on 13 wins, 4 draws and 4
losses, which saw them into the cup with two games to spare. And the win over Marfil in game 14
meant they would be going there as seeds.
Seeds in play-off
Carmona’s side continued strong in the second phase. Four wins on the trot, and then
one defeat before the cup break in late February set the side on good course. On returning from
Granada, the good play and good results were maintained, a three game winning streak placed Barça
Mobicat second, ahead even of mighty ElPozo Murcia.
In game 27, the Palau Blaugrana witnessed one of the finest games of the season.
There were 6,000 people to watch Barça Mobicat face Inter Movistar, and Barça demonstrated why they
were one of the sides most tipped for the title. They came back from 3-0 down to level at 5-5
against the best side in the world. The result meant they were almost certain to finish third in
the table, as was confirmed a week later.
Poor finish
A play-off berth secure, Barça then finished the season poorly. In game 28, they
lost at Azkar Lugo. There was still hope of making second place, but with ElPozo Murcia going
strong, this was perhaps rather too wishful thinking.
And indeed it was, although Barça had themselves to blame. They were up against sides that
had more to play for, losing in game 29 at home to Marfil Santa Coloma, who needed the win to
escape the drop. And in the final game, they were away to ElPozo, and lost to a side that clinched
top spot off Inter Movistar.
Inexplicable
But the biggest disappointment was to come in the league play-offs. In the quarter
finals, Barça Mobicat were huge favourites, especially with home court advantage and up against the
inexperienced Tien21 P. Millenium Pinto. But the Madrid based outfit was about to show why they
were the surprise package of the year.
Inexplicably, Barça Mobicat lost the first game in Madrid 6-4. There was still hope of making
amends at home, with two games to play at the Palau Blaugrana. Yet it wasn’t to be, for Pinto
were on extraordinary form, and Barça Mobicat squandered a series of clear-cut chances. It’s
goals that matter, and it was Pinto that was scoring them. Barça Mobicat crashed out of the
tournament, a cruel blow after such an impressive season.
Teams | ||
---|---|---|
Position | Teams | Pts |
1 | ElPozo Murcia | 79 |
2 | FC Barcelona Alusport | 74 |
3 | Inter Movistar | 64 |
4 | Caja Segovia | 49 |
5 | Autos Lobelle de Santiago | 47 |
6 | Triman Navarra | 45 |
7 | Carnicer Torrejón | 45 |
8 | Umacon Zaragoza | 43 |
9 | Puertollano | 39 |
10 | Fisiomedia Manacor | 37 |
11 | OID Talavera | 36 |
12 | Ríos Renovables Ribera Navarra | 33 |
13 | Azkar Lugo F.S | 29 |
14 | Marfil Santa Coloma | 28 |
15 | Reale Cartagena | 24 |
16 | Benicarló FS | 0 |