Barceloneta showed no mercy to Sabadell in the opening match of the Spanish Championship final, cruising to a dominant 17:8 victory in front of the home crowd. The reigning champions outclassed their rivals and are now just one win away from securing their 20th consecutive national title.
The beginning of the game didn’t suggest that Barceloneta would secure a convincing win. Sabadell stunned the reigning champions with an early 2:0 lead. However, Bernat Sanahuja scored twice to level the score at 2:2, and Gergely Burian then gave Barceloneta a 3:2 lead before the first break. Alberto Munarriz extended Barceloneta’s advantage by scoring in a man-up situation in the 11th minute. Three minutes later, Vincenzzo Renzuto Iodice narrowed the gap to 3:4. Despite this, the hosts regained a two-goal lead, ending the first half at 5:3.
The opening minutes of the second half were crucial for the outcome. By the middle of the third quarter, Barceloneta scored four goals in a row. Granados opened the series with a penalty shot goal. Then, Munarriz and Famera added a goal apiece. In the 20th minute, Granados scored again, this time with an extra player, bringing Barceloneta’s lead to 9:3. It became clear that Sabadell faced an uphill battle in the remaining 12 minutes. By the end of the third quarter, Barceloneta had extended the margin to seven goals. Seven seconds before the last break, Gergely Burian sent the ball into the net for 12:5 and Sabadell’s last hope disappeared. Only Barceloneta’s winning margin was in question and it increased to nine goals by the end..
The second match, in Sabadell, will be played next Sunday.
2025 Spanish League, Final (best of three), Match 1
Barceloneta – Sabadell 17:8 (3:2, 2:1, 7:2, 5:3)
Barceloneta: Munarriz 3,Granados 2,Sanahuja 2, Vigvari 2, Burian 2, Tahull 2, Biel 2, Perrone 1, Famera 1.
Sabadell:Barroso 2, Perez 2 Valera 1, Renzuto 1, Averka 1, Corres 1
