Barça drowned its sorrows in Badalona, ??a mecca in which it concluded a week in which life has been complicated in the Euroleague but in which it gains breath in the Endesa League, where it has four teams hot on the heels of a single victory. The home field advantage in the domestic and European playoffs is going to be equally expensive and Grimau’s team can no longer get lost. He did not do it this Sunday against a Joventut team that stood up until its strength lasted, taking a step back in its aspirations to fight for the title.
The derby began with emotions running high after a beautiful tribute from Joventut to their exes, up to three in Barça’s ranks. The prodigal son Ricky Rubio received the biggest ovation on his return to Badalona, ??with Laprovittola also admiring him and with some whistles for Joel Parra, with the wound from his departure still tender on him. Barça came out more energetic, starting by putting the direct effort in their attempt to drown out their sorrows. With an opponent full of youth, two teenagers in their quintet, the Blaugrana put on cruising speed and two free throws from Jabari Parker increased the score to 6-15 (minute 7).
Reduced by casualties, with Ante Tomic’s loss at the last minute due to the death of his father, La Penya landed at the Olímpic with the entry of Evans, who led the attack, and Guillem Vives, who pressed in defense, and began to cut back from there. Already in the second quarter, Cook tied the score at 28, culminating a 10-0 run that made the 12,193 spectators who filled the Olímpic explode. It was precisely the one from Saint Louis who shortly after signed the first green and black advantage of the afternoon (34-33), delving into the delicate state of mind of his rival. In that stretch Vesely gave away his third foul and went to the bench. Neither the Czech nor Hernangómez (2 points between them at half-time) were at all comfortable and Grimau opted to sit them down and use Da Silva as an emergency solution. With that smaller quintet and with the character of Jabari Parker, Barça got up to go to the locker room with an advantage.
Grimau’s team came out in a rush after the break with Brizuela dressed in the hero’s cape. She had been the Basque mamba of the little redeemable from the defeat in Istanbul but was left without playing in Athens (?), recovering his indomitable spirit in Badalona to lead Barça in their destruction of the scoreboard. She was joined by a more settled and comfortable Vesely, signed by the Czech the maximum in the last play of the third quarter (55-70).
Penya offered no response, lacking a shred of leadership on the hardwood beyond Brodziansky’s points and some action from Feliz, definitively surrendering their weapons against Abrines’ triples, thus cementing the maxim of the duel (71-93 ). Of course, with the honor of giving minutes to the beardless Platteeuw (16), capable of putting a block on Hernangómez and scoring in a few seconds to the joy of his fans.
Barça drowned its sorrows and Joventut endorsed its seal.
75. Joventut Badalona (21 19 15 20): Feliz (15), Andrews (1), Kraag (7), Ruzic (6), Prey (2) -starting five-; Evans (9), Busquets (0), Platteeuw (2), Brodziansky (18), Vives (3) and Cook (12).
93. Barça (28 17 25 23): Rubio (9), Brizuela (18), Kalinic (4), Parker (9), Hernangómez (2) -starting five-; Da Silva (4), Jokubaitis (6), Parra (6), Vesely (11), Satoransky (15), Laprovittola (0) and Abrines (9).
Referees: Carlos Peruga, Luis Miguel Castillo and Andrés Fernández. They eliminated the local Prey due to five personal fouls (min. 40).
Incidents: Match corresponding to matchday 26 of the Endesa League played at the Palau Municipal d’Esports in Badalona in front of 12,193 spectators. Before starting the meeting, a minute of silence was held in memory of Ante Tomic’s father, who recently died in Croatia.
