Barceloneta extended its winning streak in the Spanish Cup and won its 19th Copa Del Rey – the 11th in a row.
The final, played in Sabadell today, was a real thriller. Barceloneta beat the hosts after a penalty shootout – 13:12.
Sabadell was closer to a victory in the regular time. The hosts led until the dying seconds. But, Barceloneta scored an equalizer with three seconds to go. After that, the reigning champion was calmer in a penalty shootout.
2022/23 Spanish Men’s Cup, Final
Barceloneta – Sabadell 13:12 (3:2, 1:3, 2:2, 3:2, PSO 4:3)
Barceloneta: Aguirre, Famera 1, Matkovic 1, Munarriz 2, De Toro, Larumbe 1, Pavillard 2, Paul 1, Tahull, Perrone 3, Biel 1, Bustos 1, Porter. Head coach: Fatovic.
Sabadell: Lorrio, Sanahuja 4, Gil, Teclas, Veich 1, Valera 1, Bertran 2, Cabanas, Averka 3, D.Banicevic 1, Bonet, Bustos, Teclas. Head coach:Colet.
The first quarter of the big final belonged to Barceloneta (3:2). Sabadell opened the second quarter with two goals. Banicevic and Sanahuja scored within 50 seconds. In the 13th minute, Sabadell went ahead for the first time – 4:3. That was one of the turning points. In the rest of the match, Barceloneta didn’t take the lead.
Barceloneta leveled the score in the middle of the match (4:4, 5:5). Sabadell responded on both occasions. A minute and seven seconds before the end of the third period, Sabadell earned a 2-goal lead for the first time when Sanahuja found the net for 7:5.
In the fourth quarter, Sabadell had an 8:6 advantage. Barceloneta managed to catch up with the rival in the middle of the fourth quarter. It scored two goals within 40 seconds (Perrone and Famera) for 8:8. Sabadell had a double man-up in the following possession. Averka hit the back of the net for 9:8.
Sabadell kept a slim advantage almost until the end. But, just three seconds before the end, after a double exclusion (Barceloneta’s Biel, and Sabadell’s Cabanas), Pavillard equalized – 9:9, and the match entered the shootout.
Before the penalty shootout, Barceloneta’s coach Elvis Fatovic switched goalkeepers. Nicholas Porter replaced Unai Aguirre and that turned into a great move.
Porter saved shots from Bertran and Gil in the 4th and the 5th series of shots. At the other end of the pool, all of Barceloneta’s shooters sent the ball home in the first four rounds, so the match was over after Porter’s second save – 13:12.
All winners– Barceloneta 19; Barcelona 8, Catalunya 6; Sabadell 3; Mediterrani 1.
