14.03.2009 20:35
Barça make it to Bassano (2-1)
Sònia de Alba
Barça Sorli Discau have made into the final in Bassano after getting the win they needed against Italian side Valdagno, 2-1, thanks to a Borregán penalty and a goal from Panadero.
The Palau Blaugrana bore witness to roller hockey at its very best as Barça Sorli Discau made it
into the eight-team end-season tournament.
Full force on both fronts
Both teams were adamant that they would not let this chance slip. In a
highly attack-minded game, there was little room for speculation. Valdgano duo Carlos Nicolía and
Osvaldo Raed showed their skill right from the off, and the Italian keeper Vallortigara also made
it clear early on that Barça would not have it too easy in this fixture.
In the fifth minute of the game Alberto Borregán was brought down in the area, for which
Moratan was yellow-carded. The Barça playmaker wasn’t going to waste this golden opportunity.
With a well taken spot kick, Beto made it 1-0.
No easing off
Quim Paüls wanted to make sure this intensive pace did not ease up, and sent on the speedy
Carlos López and Lluís Teixidó for Sergi Panadero and David Paéz, making the best of rotations to
keep the players’ energy levels up.
Carlitos came close to tapping home a Borregán assist to make it 2-0, and most of the Palau
were convinced they had seen a goal when Lluís Teixidó’s effort looked to have crossed the
line.
Valdagno were losing more and more possession, but still produced some danger, with Nicolía
especially coming close to bringing his side level.
Valdagno’s Argentinian then attempted a complicated one-two with Cocco, the latter
reaching out like a soccer goalie to meet the ball, but not quite making it.
Valdagno pull level
Barça’s lead was then cancelled out by a free kick that Davide
Motaran turned into a goal. The ball found its way past the home wall and slipped through
underneath Egurrola, who had lost sight of the ball.
But the Italian joy was short-lived. In the very next play, Sergi Panadero connected with a
rebound to put the ball beyond Vallortigara’s reach and into the back of the net.
Barça go for it
The score now 2-1, Barça were determined not to make the same mistake they had before. This
time they tightened their game and also launched onslaughts of every form on the visitor’s
goal. Counters, one-twos, rebounds… everything, but to no avail.
But none of that ultimately mattered because they already had the lead and that meant three
points and the chance to continue their defence of their European title.
MATCH STATS
FC BARCELONA SORLI DISCAU, 2
TOYOTA MARCANTE VALDAGNO, 1
FC Barcelona Sorli Discau (1+1): Egurrola, Ordeig, Páez, Panadero (1), Borregán
(1) – starting five – Masoliver, Teixidó, López
Toyota Marcante Valdagno (0+1): Vallortigara, Motaran (1), Nicolía, Rigo, Raed
– starting five – Cocco,
Goals: 1-0, Borregán (p) (5’); 1-1, Motaran (30’); 2-1, Panadero
(31’);
Referees: Afonso and Lameiras (POR)
Notes: Barça Sorli Discau presented the Palau Blaugrana crowd with the Copa Continental won
in Pamplona on March 3 against Cemex Tenerife.