The Barça looks for the definitive blow to the ‘Penya’
Those of Jasikevicius have the final within reach, although again at the Olímpic
BARCELONA, 9 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Barça aspires to sentence the ‘Playoff’ of the semifinals of the Endesa League this Friday (9:00 p.m.) against Joventut in the fourth game of the series, although for this they will have to repeat victory in an Olímpic that sold its skin dearly in the third encounter.
Sarunas Jasikevicius’ men got up from the defeat at the Palau Blaugrana on Sunday to put up a vital 2-1 that keeps the black-and-green fever at bay. It was not enough for ‘Penya’ to return to a ‘semis’ 14 years later, but he won at his neighbor’s house after eight years without doing so, but on Wednesday he died on the shore.
The champion took the reins from start to finish in Badalona and, despite the constant battle of the locals, recovered the home court factor to stay one step away from a final in which Real Madrid awaits, after their 3-0 win over Bitci Baskonia . Nikola Mirotic was the leader (8 points, 7 rebounds and a PIR of 27) in an intense Barça.
The defender of the title did not fail while recovering Higgins for the cause, after his long injury, and Kuric who corrected the peephole after a bad run. The Olímpic pressed until the last minute, where a three-pointer by Calathes ended the black-and-green resistance. Those of Carles Duran have the script to follow this Friday.
In the balance of Joventut the almost perfect match must weigh more than the missed opportunity. Those from Badalona took the best team of the regular season to the limit, with a Tomic owner of the painting, a rebellious Willis and with success in Ribas and Vives. Despite always going down on the scoreboard, it was never more than 10 points.
The wear and tear and the obligation to always be connected with the game took its toll in an outcome of losses and bad decisions. Until Calathes’ three-pointer 40 seconds from the end, Duran’s plan was able to emerge victorious and to him, and to a crowd that doubled the demands on Barça, clings to a ‘Penya’ with a license to dream.
JOVENTUT: Ribas, Busquets, Parra, Willis and Birgander –possible starting quintet–; Happy, Paul, Bassas, Ventura, Vives, Tomic, Maronka, Brodziansky.
BARÇA: Calathes, Laprovittola, Hayes, Mirotic and Sanli –possible starting quintet–; Higgins, Abrines, Martinez, Smits, Davies, Exum, Kuric, Jokubaitis.
–REFEREES: García González, Conde and García.
–PABELLÓN: Palau Municipal d’Esports de Badalona.
–TIME: 21.00/
