A Barça without fuel exhausts miracles

ValenciaAn exhausted Barça ran out of steam and were eliminated in the Copa del Rey semifinals by Kosner Baskonia (67-70). The Blaugrana ran out of gas and couldn't manage a 12-point deficit. The Catalan side only scored 9 points in a demoralizing final quarter. With some players hampered by physical problems and the exhaustion of Friday's game, Xavi Pascual's game plan failed to pull off yet another comeback. "We were completely spent in the final quarter," the coach admitted.

Barça started the semifinal with order and composure. The Blaugrana took advantage of Clyburn's points and offensive rebounds to build a 12-point lead against a Baskonia side that was slow to react (19-7). The Basque team finished the first quarter with a 2-9 run (21-16).

Paolo Galbiati tried to speed up the pace of the game to punish the defensive transitions of a Barça team that was more solid when it had to stop set plays. The strategy worked, and Baskonia, which troubled the Catalan team, went into halftime with a lead. Luwawu-Cabarrot and Forrest combined to score 13 points in the final stretch of a disappointing second quarter for Barça (37-38).

The game, played at a pace opposite to the first semifinal, remained close for much of the match, but Barça relied on Laprovittola to find the formula that allowed them to reach the final ten minutes with a favorable situation. Baskonia only managed to score 11 points in 10 minutes (58-49).

Barça ran out of steam in the final stretch, which their opponent entered with a lead (65-69). A block by Diakité on Shengelia buried the Blaugrana's chances, who still had a final three-pointer to force overtime, but Joel Parra missed the shot at the buzzer.

The host's curse

Real Madrid staged a remarkable comeback to eliminate Valencia Basket (106-108). Mario Hezonja, who scored 25 points with seven three-pointers, completed the turnaround with a decisive three-pointer with eight seconds remaining after the home team inexplicably turned the ball over. The refereeing was heavily criticized.