Regal Barça have recorded their first victory in the TOP 16 afer an impressive display against Maccabi as Fran Vázquez stood out with his hard work at one end and creative ability at the other.
It was a vital triumph for the Blaugrana and reignited the tema's belief against one of Europe's
best teams meaning that the defeat against Real Madrid the week before has not been completely
forgotten. The second half performance from the hosts was particularly impressive after the work
that they had put in already during the first two quarters to give themselves a healthy lead with
Vázquez, Ilyasova and Basile all playing decisive roles.
Barton starting
Xavi Paschal named a starting team that included Sada, Navarro, Barton,
Ilyasova and Santiago and it was clear early on that this was going to be an exciting game when
Fisher netted the first basket for the visitors. That first two points for Maccabi though proved to
be the only time during the game that they led because from then on Barça were in control
throughout. The first two-and-a-half minutes saw the Blaugrana hone their shooting skills from
outside the paint as triples from Navarro and Ilyasova gave them an 8-4 lead. Pini Gherson's team
do have a star in Casspi though and he showed what he is capable of by trying to lead the away side
forward at every opportunity, but he was unable to stop Barça going in 21-16 at the first interval.
Sada, Grimau and Basile
The second quarter saw Sada, Grimau and Basile stand out as Barça began to put their foot on
the pedal and to edge even further clear on the scoreboard (25-18) after a triple. The bad news,
however, was that numerous balls were lost as the hosts had given it up seven times with eight
minutes still to go before teh half-time break.
Despite this and even with Charles Gaines on the court, Maccabi were
uable to to much when Vázquez was in such fine form on the rebounds. The Barça star was playing
very well and even found to sink a basket that put his team ten points ahead overall (31-21). Three
minutes later and Barrett ensured that the margin remain the same (36-26) and in the last few
minutes of the second period Maccabi showed that they still had something to offer when Carlos
Arroyo helped his team to six without reply to go in at the break just 39-33 behind.
Maintaining the rhythm
Although Maccabi tried to slow down the pace of the game, Regal FC Barcelona ensured that
they maintained their rhythm, and were able to keep pushing forward. A triple from Roger Grimau
extended the lead back to 44-37 and it was shooting from that range that saw Pashcal's side cause
their guests the quite a few problems. Ilyasova controled the Maccabi centres, while Vázquez
continued his impressive display under the hoops and the pair ensured that as the baskets kept
flowing, Barça went in at the end of the third quarter 61-47 ahead.
No relaxation
Even with that lead though, the Blaugrana could not relax and Paschal
told his players to keep playing at their best to ensure that there wre no surprises in the fourth
period. Andersen's shooting and Basile's triples meant that was not likely to happen as Maccabi
were not given any chance to mount a comeback and went on to lose by 20 points.
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MATCH STATS
REGAL FCB, 85
MACCABI, 65
Regal FC Barcelona (20+19+22+24): Sada (3), Navarro (12), Barton (3), Ilyasova
(11), Santiago (2) –starting team-, Vázquez (10), Andersen (17), Basile (16), Grimau (8) i
Barrett (3).
Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv (16+17+14+18): Arroyo (9), Marcus Brown (6), Casspi (11),
Eliyahu (8), Fisher (17) - starting team -, Gaines (-), Green (8), Dee Brown (4), Simmons (-),
Burnstein () i Sharp (-).
Refrees: Voreaidis (GRE), Gontas (GRE) and Herceg (CRO).
Incidents: A total of nine people ran on to the court of the Palau Blaugrana
waving Palestinian flags 32 seconds before the end of the third quarter. The Mossos
d’Esquadra and the Palau security services apprehended them and escorted them out of the
arena.