FC Barcelona are heading back early from the Canary Islands after crashing out of the Copa del Rey at the hands of La Laguna Tenerife. And that was despite a record-breaking start.
A sensational Satoransky had got things moving for the Catalans as they amassed the highest ever first period tally in competition of 33 points. A wonderful score at the time, but looking back now it just adds to frustration that the team was unable to go on and get the full job done.
There was little sign of any collapse in the second period either, as Barça maintained a consistently strong lead and led by 7 going in for the break.
Tenerife fightback
Barça's cause was in no way helped by an injury to Punter, but the threes were going in and for much of the third period they were still commandingly ahead. But Tenerife were never too far behind, and there was always the threat that they might hit a decent run and get back into the match. And that's exactly what happened.
In the final period they started breathing down the blaugrana necks, and spurred by a partisan crowd in the Gran Canaria Arena, with six minutes to play they went ahead for the first time in the game. The momentum was with them now and they made it count. Unbelievably, they broke into a seven point lead, and Barça were left to wonder how on earth they let this one slip away.
MATCH STATS
La Laguna Tenerife, 91
Barça, 86
La Laguna Tenerife: Kramer (7), Fitipaldo (15), Scrubb (9), Guerra (14), Doornekamp (9), Sastre (2), Shermadini (5), Abromaitis (5), Huertas (22) & Fernández (3)
Barça: Satoransky (17), Punter (7), Parra (9), Parker (11), Fall (6), Juan Núñez (8), Hernangómez (4), Brizuela (7), Metu (9), Abrines (5) & Anderson (3)
Periods: 23-33; 24-21 // 19-19; 25-13
Referees: Emilio Pérez Pizarro, Carlos Cortés & Iyán González
