18.10.2009 14:35
Gran Canària learned their lesson (67-65)
www.fcbarcelona.cat
Regal Barça lost their first game of the season at the Centro Insular de Gran Canària. The home side defended well, and Barça made too many mistakes on offence, and things ended in disappointment for Xavi Pascual.
Just 16 days after Regal Barça has stormed to victory in the Super Cup against Gran Canària 2014,
the sides met again. But this time it was a very different story. The Islanders were on terrific
form and won the game.
Gran Canària had learned their lesson from the Super Cup match and were far more intense in
defence, focusing their effort on the FCB centres. Ndong, Morris and Vázquen only managed six
points, and Barça were right against the ropes and spent almost the whole game trailing. Navarro,
Mickeal and a foul-plagued Lorbek all performed well, but the comeback never came.
Carroll against Barça
Gran Canària 2014 started hot, and all 12 of their opening points came from outer
players, especially an inspired Carroll. Barça failed to settle down and only stayed in touch
thanks to team efforts, with all five starting players scoring early. It was a case of individual
flair against a solid unit, and the first period ended 18-14.
Lorbek, fouled out; Navarro, OK
Regal Barça found added difficulties when Lorbek committed his third foul in the 13th minute.
Navarro took over the responsibility and kept his side alive, but always playing catch up. But
there was still everything to play for at half time when it was 38-37.
Yellow wall
Everything went wrong in the third period. Navarro and his colleagues
lost all their attacking bite and took six minutes to notch a score. Gran Canària went on an 8-0
streak (48-39). Lorbek, with a three, was the first man to break the yellow barrier down, but that
was not the start of a comeback. But the hosts were losing their touch too, and Carroll and Moran
especially seemed to be floundering, and a poor period all round ended 15-9.
Thrilling end
The final period started with a score of 53-46, but again the scoring was scarce. Mickeal was
one of the few players who still seemed wide awake, and Ricky also contributed, although the free
throws he missed would prove costly. Navarro also did his bit as the clock ticked down, and had the
chance to shoot for the win. Having trailed all match, it would have been incredible to see Barça
grab a win away to Gran Canària 2014 in the last gasp, but it wasn’t to be, and Barça had no
option but to concede their first defeat of the year.
MATCH STATS
Gran Canària 2014, 67
Regal Barça, 65
Gran Canària 2014 (18+20+15+14): Norris (9), Moran (13), Carroll (17), Savané (6),
McDonald (8) –starting five-, Fisher, Augustine (12), Bellas (2), Sanders, Kickert
Regal Barça (14+23+9+19): Rubio (6), Navarro (23), Mickeal (13), Lorbek (11),
Ndong (2) – starting five -, Grimau (2), Sada (4), Morris (3), Vázquez (1), Basile
Referees: Mitjana, Bultó and Castillo