FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.12.2008 20:53

Knocked off top by Ciudad Real (26-29)

Verònica Díez

FC Barcelona Borges has lost top spot after going down against Ciudad Real by 26 to 29. Ciudad Real were on top during the entire game, while Iker Romero was the best Barça player.

It was obvious right from the start that Ciudad Real meant business. The visitors came out all guns blazing, and solid defence and aggressive attack enabled them to dominate the game. After going in at the break 9 – 13 down, the Catalans upped their game in the second period but neither Iker Romero nor Albert Rocas could put them ahead. With four minutes left on the clock Nagy made it 25 to 26 to give Barça fresh hope but it was already too late.

Ciudad Real give it a go

Ciudad Real were aggressive and clever in attack right from the start, and careless play by Barça Borges enabled them to launch quick counterattacks. The visitors also put up a defensive wall to stop Barça from trying to get back into the game, and Sterbik was superb in goal. Barça were never in the lead throughout the game. In the 3rd minute Demetrio Lozano made it 3-5 but the visitors stepped on the gas again and opened the gap up to five at 7 to 12. At the break the scoreboard read 9 to 13.

Best isn’t good enough

Barça Borges was better in the second half, with a more solid defence and David Barrufet giving another fine performance in goal. In the first few minutes of the second period the Catalans, led by Iker Romero, almost caught Ciudad Real on the hop and got back to 14 to 17. That three goal gap seemed to be promising, but three unanswered goals by the visitors soon put them back at 14-20, the biggest lead of the game. In the 17th minute Romero made it 18 to 21, but history repeated itself as three goals on the bounce by the visitors left Barça Borges six goals adrift at 19-25.

Lights out and Barça come back

With barely eight minutes to go, the lights went off in the Palau Blaugrana. The game was stopped for ten minutes and that seemed to have helped FC Barcelona Borges who then played some of their best handball. A great goal by Laszlo Nagy after an assist by Iker Romero left the game open at 25 to 26 with four minutes left on the clock, but Stefansson and Entrerríos finished off the job for the visitors who finally ran out winners by 26 to 29.