ABANCA Ademar León 25-34 Barça: No mercy from the champions
A Copa del Rey win for Barça after dominating the weekend's play to ultimately take the trophy home with this 25-34 victory over ABANCA Ademar León, as the blaugranes showed no mercy.
Perfect first half
They had already shown it in the quarterfinals and semifinals, but the blaugranes came into the competition final phase in great form, and this victory can only help preparations for the upcoming Champions League Final Four. Dika Mem led the way in attack and with a very inspired Nielsen in goal helped by outfield players showing real concentration, a gap started to grow. Two opposition time outs in the first twenty minutes didn't even help address the situation.
Barça had an answer for everything, and Ariño made the most of situation, scoring five in the first half. Everyone was joining in though, Nielsen made eight saves and scored a goal when Ademar played without a keeper for a spell. Job almost done at the break (12-22).
Champions again!
All the same, Barça didn't leave anything to chance, pushing for more and opening up the biggest lead of +15. After another time out by Ademar León, Barça rotated and took the foot off the gas to some extent, much to coach Carlos Ortega's chagrin. Ademar then managed to make the score look at bit more decent, winning the second half by one, but the damage had already been done.
Now to defend the title in Cologne
Ultimately the trophy is heading back home to Barcelona, like it has done on the previous 11 occasions, as the blaugranes' national dominance continues. Now it's time to show the same in Europe, where the current European champions will go to try to retain their trophy and add to the five won already this season.
GAME STATS
ABANCA Ademar León: 25
Barça: 34
ABANCA Ademar León: Álvaro Pérez (0), Lindqvist (5), Miñambres (2), Carlos Álvarez (8), Wasiak (0), Hatem (1), Benites (2) - starting seven - Barkhordari (0), Darío Sanz (3), Adrián Fernández (0), Rozada (0), Sergio Sánchez (3), Duarte (0), Alberto Martin (0), Edu Fernández (1), Marcos García (0).
Barça: Nielsen (1), Janc (3), Mem (3), Makuc (0), N'Guessan (3), Frade (5), Ariño (6) - starting seven - Gérard (0), Bazán (1), Carlsbogard (2), Aleix (3), Petrus (0), Palomino (2), Richardson (3), Cikusa (0), Javi Rodríguez (2).
Partial scores: 1-3, 3-6, 5-9, 7-14, 8-18, 12-22 / halftime / 13-25, 15-27, 16-28, 18-31, 20-32, 25-34.
Referees: Yon Bustamante López and Javier Álvarez Mata.