FCBARCELONA.CAT

27.05.2010 11:43

So close to three finals

Cristina Collado

FC Barcelona came frustratingly close to the finals of all three competitions this season: the league, the cup and the super cup. But each time they went out to ElPozo Murcia, but did at least retain the Copa Catalunya.

The futsal section is growing in strength each season, and has now been consolidated as one of the strongest in the Spanish top flight. But this season, they simply couldn’t break down ElPozo Murcia, who won two of the titles and are on course for the Liga as well, having put Barça out en route each time.

Copa Catalunya retained

The season began with the Copa Catalunya. FC Barcelona had no trouble with Mataró in the semi finals ( 5-0 ) and in the final in Sant Cugat met Marfil Santa Coloma. Fernandao’s solitary goal was enough for Marc Carmona’s side to become Catalan champions once again ( 0-1 ).

First Super Cup

The 2010 season started with the first ever edition of the Super Cup, which FCB qualified for by right of finishing third in the league the previous year. The competition was played in Vigo, but Barça crashed out early 6-4 to ElPozo Murcia, who went on to win the final against Lobelle.

Same in cup semi final

A month later, on February 12, FC Barcelona played the cup quarter final against Reale Cartagena. It was a cracking game, eventually won by Marc Carmona’s side 5-4, which meant a match up with old foes ElPozo Murcia. Duda’s side beat FCB to the tune of a 7-1 win, which hardly reflected how tight the game actually was, and Murcia again went on to take the title.

Good end to League

The cup having gone badly, Barça then returned to the league and strung together seven consecutive wins at the Palau Blaugrana. But despite such form, they failed to end the season in the top four positions, so they went into the play offs facing Lobelle without home court advantage. Things got off to a dreadful start with home defeat at the Palau on penalties after a 3-3 tie. Barça had to go to Santiago and win twice, and amazingly, they did it. They won game two (2-4) to tie the series and then secured game three in a penalty shootout.

That has been an intense challenge, and FC Barcelona then had to face ElPozo Murcia yet again, the winners of the regular season. Again FCB lacked home court advantage and lost game one at home (4-6) This time they failed to turn things around, and went out after a gallant display in game two, which they lost 3-2.