FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.01.2010 22:30

Winning start (79-69)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barça have won their opening game in the Top 16 against an awkward Maroussi side. So, a great way to start the second round, and Barça stay unbeaten in the Euroleague.

With soccer stars Bojan Krkic and Leo Messi in the Palau to watch, Regal Barça got their Top 16 campaign off to the ideal start. It wasn’t easy, as coach Xavi Pascual had warned - Maroussi showed that they do have what it takes to compete with the continent’s elite clubs.

Before starting, both sides displayed their support for a fund-raising campaign for the victims of the Haiti earthquake, and the Palau respectfully observed a minute’s silence.

Great start

The game got under way with Regal Barça playing complete basketball, seeking to keep the play open, exquisite in defence and taking their chances in offence. Ndong and Navarro led in the latter, who along with Pete Mickeal all played 30 minutes or more on court.

Jaka Lakovic with a three on the buzzer, ended the first period at 19-5.

That 14 point opening lead made all the difference, for Maroussi started finding their feet in the second, putting more pressure on a Barça defence that started losing its fluidity. The hosts also made a series of errors with the pick-and-roll on the Greeks, but nevertheless, stayed well in command in terms of points.

Maroussi surrender the initiative

These mistakes were even more evident after the restart, when Georgios Bartzokas’ side created more pressure, and the pace of the game slowed. Jamon Lucas and Dimitros Mavroeidis made a contribution to a gradual chipping away at what had become a 20 point lead (54-34) as the third period drew to a close.

Maroussi came back to within eight (57-49), Mavroeidis scoring the last, and thanks to a Calathes three, the story was same a minute later (60-52). But that merely served to boost Barça back into action, with both Lakovic and Navarro hitting threes to take it back to +14. That was a major blow to the Greek morale and from there it was full steam ahead for Regal Barça. A Lucas basket ended the game at 79-69 and the Top 16 was off to the best possible start for Xavi Pascual.