February 8, 2008 was the turning point of the season for Barça Borges. Manolo Cadenas left the bench, to be replaced by the man who had been his assistant until then, Xavi Pascual.
The coach from Leon first came to Barcelona in 2007. No sooner had he taken over the side, than he
had the Pyrenees league in the bag. That was the only trophy he won in his first season as first
team boss. But 2008 got off to a good start with a win in the Spanish Super Cup, and the Asobal
challenge started well. But losses to Portland and Ciudad Real in the League and to Kiel in the
Champions league were early setbacks for an FC Barcelona Borges side that had its eyes on both
titles.
Two key games
The Asobal Cup, played at the Palau, was the ideal chance for Manolo
Cadenas and his side to get things back on track, but it wasn’t to be. Yet another title
slipped away. The straw that broke the camel’s back seemed to come on February 7, 2008, game
16 in the league, when Pevafersa Valladolid stunned Barça Borges. One day later, and the club made
the decision to make radical changes, and opted to terminate its contract with Cadenas.
Sports and psychology
Xavi Pascual was brought in to take charge of a side that was not only struggling to
get results, but was also psychologically battered. But the incoming manager got off to a winning
start at the Palau against Keymare Almeria. Little by little the changes started having the right
effect, with the entire training and preparation schedule being turned around, with a more
competitive and self-confident Barça Borges being forged as a result. This was never more evident
than in the Copa del Rey played in March. It was the first major honour for Pascual as a coach and
also brought new strength and confidence to the side.