FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.05.2008 21:18

Barça in the Final Four

Vanessa Forns

FC Barcelona Sorli Discau has qualified for the decisive game in the Final Four of the European League having beaten Vic 2-1. In the final Barça will come face to face with Reus Deportiu.

The team run by Quim Paüls will fight this Sunday, at five in the afternoon, to win what could be the eighteenth European League title for the roller hockey team. The current champion of the top European competition, despite dominating the best part of the game, had to fight hard right to the last minute to overcome a Roncati Patí Vic team who refused to lie down. Now only Reus can keep Barça, the organiser of this Final Four, from renewing their title.

Barça dominate

Just as you would expect in a semi-final of the Final Four, FC Barcelona Sorli Discau and Roncato Patí Vic both came onto the pitch in the Palau Blaugrana fully concentrated and prepared for a high-speed game.

In an enthralling start, Alberto Borregán, always dangerous, had the first chance to put the team ahead on the scoreboard and brought out the best in Roncato Patí’s keeper, Sergi Fernandez. While Barça Sorli Discau reached the opposite goalmouth every time they had the ball, Ferran Pujalte’s team tried to put balls into the penalty area. It was Josep Maria Roca for Roncato Patí Vic who put most pressure on the goal defended by Aitor Egurrola, who made some great saves.

Ordeig makes no mistakes

After several occasions on goal, FC Barcelona Sorli Discau managed to get ahead on the scoreboard through a goal from Mia Ordeig in the 10th minute of the match. The Barcelona number ‘7’ made the most of a bad clearance by Sergi Fernandez to send the ball perfectly into the back of the net.

It so happens that the Vic goalkeeper, who had been doubtful ‘til the last minute due to problems with his isquiotibial muscles, started to feel the effects of this injury in the 17th minute of the game. Only three minutes later a dejected Sergi Fernandez saw himself obliged to ask to be substituted. Victor Agramunt took his place between the posts.

Two balls off the post

I should also point out that in the 19th minute, Quim Paül’s team had two consecutive chances to open up their lead, through Lluís Teixidó and Carlitos López. But they both struck the post. The minutes passed and whilst Vic couldn’t circulate the ball well, Barça Sorli Discau, with a one-goal lead, was very comfortable on the pitch. With only three minutes to half time, Sergi Panadero had to leave the pitch due to a knock on his right shoulder. The second half looked promising.

An open and very lively game

At the restart the game continued along the same lines as the first half, that is, a lot of possession and the best occasions for Barça Sorli Discau. Then, in the 28th minute, David Páez sent the third ball of the game against the woodwork of the Roncato Patí Vic goal. The game remained very open and very much alive with the constant comings and goings.

As the minutes passed Ferran Pujalte’s team pressured with more intensity. After various efforts to reduce the difference in the score line in every way, ‘Beto’ Borregán, in a very dangerous counter attack, almost scored his team’s second goal. But the ball smashed into the face of Victor Agramunt.

Eleven minutes from the end Aitor Egurrola avoided the draw making an amazing save from Borja López’s shot. Despite their persistent attacking, Barça Sorli Discau just couldn’t get the goal to seal the victory.

Marc Torra gets the equaliser

With a very skilful move, Marc Torra levelled the game at one all in the 43rd minute. The Vic player made the most of his own penalty being cleared by Egurrola, to put the ball high past the Barcelona keeper. From then on Barça started to feel the pressure.

Carlitos López, opportune

But the reigning champions didn’t let this get to them and, with only two minutes to go, managed to qualify for the most decisive game of the Final Four with an opportunist goal from Carlitos López. One last attempt by Titi Roca gave a fright to the numerous supporters who turned out this Saturday in the Palau Blaugrana to enjoy the spectacle of hockey on wheels.