01.10.2008 23:26
Prestigious victory (76-81)
www.fcbarcelona.cat
Regal Barça secured a prestigious victory over Fortitudo Bologna in the last pre-season friendly before the start of their first ACB League game at the weekend against DKV Joventud. The encounter was a testimonial match for Barça’s Basile.
Despite not making a consistent start, with several imprecise passes and with a defence that did
start to function later in the game, Xavi Pascual’s side have shown just how good they could
be this season in a game that saw Fortitudo presented to their own fans ahead of the new campaign.
The game was also a tribute to Basile, who was the captain the last time the Italian side won the
league in 2004/05. The strong Blaugrana defence was the key to victory as well as André Barrett
being on form from free-throw line as he netted six times before the end from there.
Basile was honoured by both clubs as the president of the home team went down to the court
and had his photo taken with him while a local supporters’ group, Fossi di Leoni, joined them
to hand over some gifts to the Barça star. In the hours leading up to the game former Blaugrana
player, Gregor Fucka visited the Catalan team’s hotel where he met up with various members of
the squad and staff that he knew during his time there.
Slow start
After the first quarter a win for Barça looked some way off
as the home side took advantage of their opponents mistakes and imprecision and were able to chalk
up a healthy lead. At the first break Fortitudo led 24-15.
Little-by-little though, Regal Barça began to function, thanks mainly to their defence
raising their game, and they were able to build on that and produce a performance that will serve
them well during the season.
Great Defence
Dedovic and Xavi Rey came on and Barça improved even further and, while
they continued to dominate the rebound, the Italians began to misjudge their passes and shots and
that would prove to be decisive. In the third quarter, Regal FC Barceolna gained their biggest
advantage when they went eleven points in front thanks to a triple from Dedovic.
Fortitudo did not give up though and bounce back in the final period only to find a Barça
defence in fine form and they withstood almost everything that came there way. Barrett in
particular was in good form as he continued to net points at the other end and to drive the
Blaugrana on towards victory.
Photos: Luca Villani and Catia Ruggiero
Match stats
FORTITUDO BOLOGNA, 76
REGAL FC BARCELONA, 81
Fortitudo Bologna: Huertas (4), Mancinelli (12), Slokar (5), Forte (8), Woods (26)
–starting team - Gordon (10), Cittadini (11), Malaventura (-), Lamma (-), Achara (-), Borra
(-) y Zahariev (-).
Regal FC Barcelona: Lakovic (4), Basile (-), Barton (9), Ilyasova (13), Andersen
(12) – starting team -, Barrett (15), Trias (2), Rey (3), Vázquez (13), Dedovic (3), Sada (3)
y Grimau (4).
Quarters: 24-15 / 12-24 / 15-17 / 25-25
Referees: Facchini, Filippini, Lanzarini.