Barça 37-37 Logroño La Rioja: Draw before the break
Despite multiple rotations following a demanding European fixture just two days earlier, Barça let a seemingly secure win slip away. Leading by six at half-time and still ahead in the final second thanks to a goal from Dika Mem, the referees ruled it came too late, awarding only a draw against Logroño.
Fresh off Thursday’s emotional triumph at the Palau and qualification for the Final Four, Barça started with intensity. Solid defence from Gérard and sharp attacking play from Makuc, Mem and Rodríguez helped build a five-goal lead (10–5), forcing an early timeout from the visitors. Ortega continued rotating his squad, resting Nielsen, Frade and Ariño, and Barça looked sharp on the counterattack, with even defensive specialist Thiagus Petrus joining the scoring.
The defending champions went into the break 23–17 ahead and maintained control through much of the second half. Contributions from Cikusa, Wanne and Aleix Gómez kept the scoreboard ticking, though Logroño stayed within reach.
But then it all went wrong. Unbelievably, a late 1–6 run from the visitors tied the match at 37–37. In the final second, Mem appeared to score the winner—but the referees disallowed it, leaving Barça with a frustrating draw heading into the international break. Despite no impact on the standings, the result leaves a bitter aftertaste ahead of the final three league games and the Champions League Final Four in Cologne.
MATCH STATS
Barça: 37
Logroño La Rioja: 37
Barça: Gerard (0), Aleix (4), Mem (7), Petrus (1), Carlsbogard (5), Javi Rodríguez (6), Wanne (6), Saric (0), Valera (0), Janc (0), N'Guessan (0), Grau (0), Makuc (3), Palomino (1), Richardson (2) & Cikusa (2).
Logroño La Rioja: Ledo (0), Rivero (1), Preciado (6), Tua (4), Uríos (2), Pergel (4), Cadarso (1), Mezaza (0), Juárez (0), Zarzuela (2), El Korchi (7), Modi (4), Ponciano (1) & Javi García (5).
Periods: 5-3, 9-5, 12-8, 15-9, 18-12, 23-17 / HT / 26-20, 28-23, 31-27, 34-29, 36-34, 37-37.
Referees: Jordi Ausás Busquets & Miquel Florenza Virgili.