As expected, Barceloneta, the reigning champion, and Sabadell, the 1st-placed team in the regular season, will play in the final of the Spanish League.
Both teams qualified for the final of the playoffs after the 2nd games of the semifinals.
Barceloneta has been a regular participant in the finals of the Spanish League for the last 20 years. Sabadell will play its first national championships final after six years and the season 2016/17.
2023 Spanish League, Playoffs, Semifinals, Match 2
Barcelona – Barceloneta 8:12 (3:3, 1:4, 2:4, 2:1) – the score in the series 0:2
Barcelona: Mallarach 5, Vavic 1, Asensio 1, Valls 1.
Barceloneta: Larumbe 3, Tahull 3, Famera 2, Matkovic 1, Munarriz 1, Perrone 1, Bustos 1.
Terrassa – Sabadell 7:15 (1:2, 2:3, 4:5, 0:5) – the score in the series 0:2
Terrassa: Delgado 4, Sabadell 1, Wilson 1, Alarcon 1.
Sabadell: Valera 5, Sanahuja 2, Teclas 2, Bonet 2, Gil 1, Cabanas 1, Averka 1, Banicevic 1
The encounter between Barcelona and Barceloneta was an even contest until 4:4. At the finish of the first half, the visitors netted three goals in a row and headed into the third quarter leading 7:4. Dusan Matkovic extended Barceloneta’s series with an action goal in the 19th minute for 8:4. Marc Ferrer converted a man-up in the following Barcelona’s possession to give some hope to the hosts – 5:8. Mallarach added an action goal and the hosts reduced the gap to two (6:8). But, Barceloneta finished the third quarter in the same way like the second period – by scoring three consecutive goals and built a safe 11:6 advantage before the final quarter.
I The games of the playoffs final (best of three) will be played on May 17, 19 and, if needed, May 21
Sabadell dictated the pace throughout the second game against Terrassa. The visitors built a 4:1 lead in the second quarter. Terrassa was coming back from time to time. The hosts, led by Adria Delgado, reduced the gap to one goal (3:4, 4:5). Sabadell restored a three-goal lead in the third quarter. Still, the hosts didn’t give in. Delgado made it 7:9 in the 23rd minute. However, Sabadell kept Terrassa scoreless in the remaining nine minutes while it produced a 6:0 run for a fine 15:7 victory. The hero of the match was Francesco Valera, who scored five goals for Sabadell even though he finished the game late into the third quarter due to the third personal foul.
I Barceloneta has won 22 titles of the national championships and it will play for its 18th consecutive title in the Spanish League. Sabadell will battle for its first crown in the national championships.
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