Victory for the minimum

The senior beat Afanion Almansa thanks to a last-gasp free kick from Trias

| Sunday, 13 January 2019

Básquet Girona resumed the road to victory in a very even match at the Pabellón Polideportivo de Almansa. Both locals and visitors corresponded to the competitive tone of the match during the entire forty minutes – no difference in the four halves exceeded two points. However, at the climax of the match, Quim Costa’s men knew how to keep their cool better to take the victory to Girona.

With an unusual starting five, with Sergi Costa, David Cuéllar and Robert Cosialls as new players, the senior entered the match aware that their collective ability could prevail over the rival’s physical advantage. Although he was not very successful, his mobility allowed him to find shooting position frequently, a factor that allowed him to establish early differences.

Meanwhile, Almansa countered Girona’s intentions from the outside line, with a Bob Harris (21 points and 5/10 in triples) carrying the baton of the game and being inspired from the launch (22-20, 10′). Equality would be maintained in the second quarter, with Gerard Blat starring in the local offensive proposal and an active Cosialls (17 rating) who, together with Jordi Trias, maintained the balance from the paint.

At the start of the second half, two consecutive triples by Cizmic established the maximum difference (43-49, 23′) but Almansa kept Girona’s bar with a great defense led by Lamine Dieng, powerful in both circles. Rubén Perelló’s men repelled any intention of the visitors to break the scoreboard, with a triple from Santoja when Quim Costa’s men tried to leave. Only time could decide the winner. In the last quarter, when fewer points were scored, Basketball Girona was the one that knew how to impose fewer marches in the match.

With an unstoppable Trias (20 points and 10 fouls received), the senior knew how to keep the contributions of Harris and Dieng from the emergency. Almansa had the last possession tied at 70 but Harris missed and Dieng fouled Trias on the rebound with his team in bonus. With one second left in the game, Trias scored the necessary point for his team to win.

The next meeting of the seniors will be on Saturday, January 19 at 7 p.m. in Fontajau against JAFEP FG La Roda.

*Quim Costa’s assessment:

“It was a very competitive game in which neither team had a clear advantage on the scoreboard. In the end, the factor of chance intervened and allowed us to win”

“I think we were able to respond to their tactical variety in defense, unlike in the first leg. At the time, we only had a tactical base to which, throughout these two months, we have been adding nuances that have given us today allowed to interpret when the rival opted for one method or another”

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