It’s going to a third game. The Barça roller hockey team have lost 6-3 away to Noia (6-3), so the game on 26 May at the Palau Blaugrana will decide who will go through to the OK Liga semi-finals. The blaugranes unsuccessfully tried to turn around a difficult start and the tie goes to the definitive third match.
Fast start
The Ateneu Agrícola is a tough place to go and the home side made a dream start, David Gelmà scoring a foul past Carles Grau (1-0, min. 1). The response came quickly though, Ferran Font scoring for Barça from close to the halfway line (1-1, min. 3).
The home side continued to push and Xavi Costa took his chance, as the veteran diverted a Curtiellas shot in at the back post (2-1, min. 5). Ricard Ares’ side found it hard to settle, although they had their opportunities to tie the score, but Noia were playing with aggression and had the clearest chances.
Two down at the break
They also got the first direct free hit, but Carles Grau stood firm to force a mistake by Xavi Aragonès. Time ticked by and Carles Grau again came to the fore to save a clear effort by Esteller. However, it was Xavi Costa who diverted another shot to score the third before the break (3-1, min. 24). Changes were needed to get back into the game, but not even a tenth foul by Noia one minute after the restart helped.
Reaction falls short
Alabart then hit the post by Xavi Aragonès finished a good move to make it 4-1 (min. 30). It was then Cervera’s turn to hit the post, but Toni Salvadó punished the blaugranes even further (5-1, min. 35). Just when it looked most unlikely, Barça were back in the game, Sergi Aragonès and Pablito combining to get one back (5-2, min. 36).
A clash between Xavi Costa and Aragonès brought up the fifteenth foul for the home side and a blue card for the blaugrana. Ferran Font scored the direct free hit (5-3, min. 39), but then Marc Grau was shown a blue card. Barça had to defend, but had three clear chances to score to no avail. Noia then failed with a direct free hit, before David Gelmà scored at the last (6-3, min. 50) with the blaugranes pushing. The tie will be decided at the Palau, including a tribute and farewell for Sergi Fernández and Pablo Álvarez.
GAME STATS
Noia: 6
Barça: 3
Noia: Martí Zapater, Jan Curtiellas, Xavi Aragonés, David Gelmà and Xavi Costa – starting five – Martí Salvadó, Aleix Esteller, Pablo Nájera, Toni Salvadó and Pau Andreu.
Barça: Carles Grau, Ignacio Alabart, Ferran Font, Marc Grau and Eloi Cervera – starting five – Sergi Fernández, Pablo Álvarez, Álex Ortigosa, Xavi Barroso and Sergi Aragonés.
Goals: 1-0, David Gelmà (min. 1); 1-1, Ferran Font (min. 3); 2-1, Xavi Costa (min. 5); 3-1, Xavi Costa (min. 24); 4-1, Xavi Aragonès (min. 30); 5-1, Toni Salvadó (min. 35); 5-2, Sergi Aragonés (min. 36); 5-3, Ferran Font (min. 39); 6-3, David Gelmà (min. 50)
Referees: Miguel Díaz and Jonathan Sánchez. Fouls: 18-12.
