Barça meets Joventut in the Super Cup final

The Barça made its way to the final of the ACB Supercup after a tactical battle against Valencia Basket that was both thrilling and exhausting. The second semifinal ended 86-87 in favor of the Blaugrana in a contest that extended beyond two hours, marked by continuous interruptions and an erratic pace characterizing both teams.

A tentative start in the Supercup

The initial moments of the match reflected the uncertainty typical of encounters where both teams have undergone significant changes. Barça and Valencia Basket started cautiously, failing to find the offensive flow that would allow them to dominate the scoreboard. The arrival of Olivier Nkamhoua on the court transformed the landscape for the culés. With 9 points scored in the first quarter, the Blaugrana forward injected energy into the attack, allowing Alexander Sekulic's men to take an early lead with a score of 11-19 in the 6th minute.

Valencia Basket responded with two consecutive three-pointers, taking advantage of an inspired Kameron Taylor, who scored 7 points during this phase. The taronjas closed the gap, but Darío Brizuela sealed the first quarter with a 19-24 advantage for the Blaugrana. The balance was fragile, and Valencia's defensive intensity would make Barça suffer in the following minutes.

Physical defense and offensive struggles

As the second quarter began, Valencia Basket significantly raised the physical tone. Sekulic's team faced great difficulties executing their transition game, being forced to resolve static attacks against a defense that suffocated their scoring options. T.J. Shorts, with 6 points, led the Valencian reaction, bringing the score to 31-31 in the 15th minute. The match became a defensive standoff where offensive fluidity was noticeably absent.

Nkamhoua's return again changed the course of the game. With the Frenchman on the court, Barça regained mobility in attack and the ability to play in transition. Josh Nebo added 9 points and Justin Robinson contributed 5 in this second phase, allowing the Blaugrana to establish a six-point lead (33-39 in the 18th minute). However, Kameron Taylor was not willing to allow a gap on the scoreboard. The Valencia guard, who would finish with 23 points, was crucial in bringing the halftime score to a tight 40-43 in favor of the culés.

The Blaugrana dominance in the third quarter

The second half began with a clearly superior Barça. Justin Robinson shone again with 12 points in the third quarter, complemented by a three-pointer from Stanley Umude that extended the lead to ten points (45-55 in the 23rd minute). Xavi Albert, the coach of Valencia, was forced to call a timeout to stop the culé momentum that threatened to run away with the scoreboard.

The dominance on the boards was another determining factor during this phase. Barça had a 34-22 advantage in rebounds, with Josh Nebo leading this category with 8 boards. However, the premature accumulation of fouls on Sekulic's team allowed Valencia Basket to benefit from the free-throw line. The difference in conversions was staggering: 25 to 10 in favor of the taronjas. Despite this, a buzzer-beater by Joel Parra left the score at 61-66 in the 28th minute, foreshadowing an exciting final quarter.

The drama of the epilogue

The fourth period began with news that would complicate Barça's plans: Josh Nebo was ejected for two disruptive fouls just as the period started. The loss of one of their best players was quickly evident, especially as the game bogged down with continuous interruptions and both teams going to the free-throw line on virtually every possession. Barça maintained a lead of 73-80 with five minutes remaining.

Drama arrived in the final moments. With 35 seconds left, Valencia Basket tied the game at 84 thanks to three consecutive free throws by Kameron Taylor, who became his team's top scorer. The Valencia momentum was evident, and Barça seemed to suffer under the weight of a contest that had dragged on excessively. The tension peaked when Justin Robinson scored for Barça, only for T.J. Shorts to immediately tie it at 86-86.

With 13 seconds left, Barça had the final possession. Kevin Punter was fouled with 2.8 seconds remaining. The Blaugrana guard made the first free throw but missed the second, setting up a scene of maximum tension. Osetkowski's desperate shot found no basket, and Barça claimed victory with an 86-87 score that tasted glorious after an exhausting tactical battle.

The victory allows the Blaugrana to advance to the final of the ACB Supercup, where they will face the other semifinalist at the Olímpic in Badalona tomorrow at 7:00 PM. A match that promises to be the epilogue of a competition where the ability to endure and maintain concentration at crucial moments has become the key to success.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El Barça se cita con el Joventut en la final de la Supercopa