FCBARCELONA.CAT

29.05.2010 16:59

FCB Borges, 34 – Chekhov, 27

Llorenç Tarrés

Barca Borges booked a place in the final of the EHF Final Four with a 34-27 win over the Russian team Chekhov on Saturday evening. Xavi Pascual’s team will play either Ciudad Real or Kiel in Sunday’s final.

Barca looked comfortable in the first half, taking in a 17-11 half time lead, though the game got tougher after the break as the Russians cut their lead to just two goals (22-20) early in the second half, before the Catalans again upped the pace to run out winners by a clear seven goals.

Great First Half

Barca dominated from the off, thanks to a solid defence in front of an inspired Saric and some accurate shooting. Chekhov seemed overawed by the occasion and their 5-1 defence just couldn’t hold Barca who found plenty of attacking options.

A motivated Garabaya and the experience of Rutenka helped Pascual’s team to open up an early 5-1 lead with the game’s leading scorer Juanín García (who bagged 8) soon off the mark. Chekhov were unable to make any headway themselves as they banged away against the strong Barca central defence. With playmaker Chipurin being well covered, only the excellent Filippov kept the Russian Champions in the game-

Relaxation and Reaction

Xavi Pascual will have been disappointed with the start of the second half when his team seemed to relax and allow Chekhov back into the match, but pleased with their eventual reaction, as they put their foot on the accelerator and left the Russians behind with a series of blistering counter attacks.

Barca finished the game with Barufet in goals and 11 players ended up on the scoresheet – a fair indication of the depth of talent that coach Pascual will have to call on for tomorrow’s final.