Barceloneta trashed Sabadell 9:4 in the first final match of the Spanish League and will have a chance to win its 18th consecutive national title on Friday.
The second match of the series will be played in Barceloneta’s pool tomorrow.
The winner of the opening game, hosted by Sabadell, was decided shortly after halftime. Barceloneta, excellently playing defense, killed all the suspense in the first half. The hosts scored their first goal only 47 seconds before the middle break. Until then, Barceloneta already had netted five
2023 Spanish League, Playoffs, Finals (best of three), Match 1
.Sabadell – Barceloneta 4:9 (0:2, 1:3, 3:3, 0:1)
Sabadell: Lorrio, Sanahuja 2, Gil, Teclas, Veich, Valera 1, Bertran, Cabanas, Averka, Banicevic, Bonet 1, Bustos Sanchez, Teclas. Head coach: Colet.
Barceloneta: Aguirre, Famera 1, Matkovic, Munarriz 4, De Toro, Larumbe 2, Pavillard, Fernandez 1, Tahull, Perrone, Biel 1, Bustos, Porter. Head coach: Fatovic.
All previous encounters between Sabadell and Barceloneta in this season were close. Sabadell recorded two wins in the regular season (11:8, 10:8). Barceloneta narrowly defeated Sabadell in the Spanish Super Cup (8:7). The clash between the Champions League clubs in the Spanish Cup final ended in a 9:9 draw. Barceloneta clinched the trophy after a penalty shootout (13:12).
Therefore, few could expect that the 1st game of the playoffs final would be a lopsided contest.
But, Barceloneta’s performance in the first half was nearly perfect, so the third and fourth quarters lacked excitement. At the first break, Barceloneta led 2:0. The visitors’ defense, commanded by Unai Aguirre, did a great job. However, Sabadell’s hopes were still very alive.
Barceloneta dominated in the second period and added three goals. In the 15th minute, the visitors had a 5:0 lead, and it was obvious that Sabadell needed a miracle to come back into the match.
Valera put Sabadell on the scoreboard 47 seconds before the end of the first half by converting a man-up for 1:5.
Alberto Munarriz, Barceloneta’s leader in this match, made it 6:1 in the 18th minute with his 4th goal, and Sabadell’s last hope disappeared.
From that point on, Barceloneta slowed and maintained the big difference. Sabadell reduced the gap to three twice (3:6 and 4:7), but the visitors’ win was never in danger. In the fourth period, both teams started thinking about the second game.
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