Girona 72-64 Barça: Room for improvement

Defeat against Girona, as the Qianjiang Century City International Basketball Summit 2024 comes to an end for Barça. Played in Hangzhou, Peñarroya's side continued to progress preparations for the new season. After a positive first half, the lead on the scoreboard ended up turning in favour of their opponents who ultimately ran out winners (72-64).

Into the rhythm

Punter got into the game first which was a slow burner in scoring terms, helping FC Barcelona put some points on the board, with the 3-12 scoring ably assisted by the defence. Two consecutive three-pointers by Justin Anderson did further damage (6-18), with the lead going on to be extended to +13. The superiority sawa 10-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Both new and old faces on the blaugrana bench were contributing and Peñarroya's side went +15 in the second. Concentrated in defence and attack throughout, Barça carried the game until Girona woke up to go within four points at the break (33-37).

Tide turned

The opponents' turnaround was completed in the third quarter, when the blaugranes were finding it more difficult to score. Girona went seven up and Barça tried to react. Metu and Fall helped shorten the gap to four points, but it wasn't enough to complete the comeback, as Girona again extended the lead to +9, punishing FC Barcelona's errors.

Time passed, but Barça were unable to make inroads on the score until the last five minutes of the game when the Girona lead reduced from +10 to +3. It looked like the comeback was on, but Girona resisted and ended up consigning the blaugranes to a first defeat under Peñarroya (72-64). After a win and a loss at the Qianjiang Century City International Basketball Summit 2024, the team now returns to Barcelona, with the Catalan Cup next as Barça play Andorra on September 12 (9pm CEST). 

GAME STATS

Girona 72
Barça 64

Girona: Nike Sibande (4), Yves Pons (7), Sergi Martínez (12), Jaume Sorolla (7) and Aljami Durham (17) - starting five - Juan Ignacio (7), Guillem Ferrando (3), Fernández (-), Caffaro (8), Susinskas (7)
Barça: Satoransky (2), Laprovittola (5), Punter (13), Metu (8) and Parker (-) - starting five - Parra (5), Willy Hernangómez (3), Brizuela (3), Juan Núñez (2), Anderson (13), Sarr (-), Fall (10)

Quarters: 10-21; 23-16 // 22-11; 17-16