FC Barcelona Lassa have missed out on what would have been their seventh Endesa Super Cup after a 20-point defeat (79-59) in Saturday’s final against Herbalife Gran Canaria. Great defense from the islanders in Vitoria, especially in the first half, put too many points between the sides and Barça were never able to reduce the deficit.
With 50 points in the first half, Gran Canaria were not exactly lacking in offense, either, and were worthy winners of the first title of the Spanish basketball season. They were up 12 after eight minutes, and from then on led all the way to the final buzzer.
Not even an 8-0 Barça run was able to do much more than put a dent in their lead, and when it took the Catalans three minutes to get their first points of the second half, it was clear that it just wasn’t their day.
When Barça fell to 21 points behind, it looked all over. A 12-0 run, however, raised some hope, and another 5-0 run that cut the deficit to ten raised even more – and there were still eight minutes to play.
But that only served to bring Gran Canaria flying back to life, and with two minutes to play they had built their lead back to 16. This time there really was no time to dream of a comeback.
With the Super Cup having slipped away, Barça now need to regroup in time for the start of ACB season next week – and a Catalan derby with Manresa.
