FCBARCELONA.CAT

03.12.2009 22:20

Into the Last 16 (89-55)

Sònia de Alba

Regal Barça became the first team in the Euroleague to qualify for the Last 16 as they maintained their 100 per cent record with a sixth consecutive win on Thursday evening as they overwhelmed Fenerbahçe Ulker.

The Blaugrana won by 34 points and made it six wins out of six as they became the only unbeaten side left in the competition this term. So superior were the home side in the Palau Blaugrana that close to the end of the third quarter the Turkish visitors had only registered 29 points. Xavi Pascual's men showed that they are strong contenders for the continental crown this term.

In attack Barça were not at their absolute best, but no less than five players scored over ten points with Lakovic, Navarro, Vázquez, Lorbek and Mickael all reaching double figures. Terence Morri was the most valued player, with a 19 rating, as he scored seven and managed seven rebounds. With such a commanding lead young Rabaseda was given his first taste of the Euroleague.

Fenerbahçe started strongly as they looked to bounce back from losing in front of their own fans in their last game and in the first quarter were confident and full of running. Bogdan Tanjevic's team sought to disrupt their hosts and they managed to do that as Barça lost four of their nine balls during this early stage.

The two fouls against Ricky Rubio also ensured that Barça remained cautious and even Sada, who replaced him, was unable to shine. But slowly the hosts pulled themselves into the encounter by starting from the back and shoring up their defence.

Pascual's side were able to work out how to handle their guests and prevented Fener from making too many inroads before they began to chalk up points for themselves.

At half-time the scoreboard read 42-21 to Barça and many felt that the game, as a contest, was already over and the question was then by how many the home team would win by.

There was no let-up after the restart either with the Turkish side heading towards the end of the third quarter trailing by a resounding 62-29.

In the last period the visitors did restore some pride as they started scoring more frequently, but Morris was in fine form for the hosts and he helped to push Barça on to a 34-point winning margin and a place in the Last 16 at this early stage in the competition.