Spain – FIATC Joventut Hands Barca First Loss

Spanish Liga Endesa – FC Regal Barcelona was upset by FIATC Joventut 82-83 in arguably the most noteworthy games in Round 5 of the 2014/15 regular season. It was one of seven games played on November 2, wrapping up the round’s action. Both Real Madrid and Unicaja Malaga managed to secure victories and are now the last remaining undefeated teams and now share the league leadership. Real Madrid came away with an easy 90-71 win at home over Valencia Basket (3-2). Unicaja Malaga completely dominated Gipuzkoa BC San Sebastian 74-59, keeping the club in Liga Endesa’s cellar along with Baloncesto Sevilla at 0-5.

Back to featured game. Stunned Barca fans did expect their beloved club to fall to the eighth ranked FIATC Joventut. It was more of a shock considering that the hosts looked like they were in control at the beginning and were even 25-18. The second period was another story. The visitors came storming back with their own attack. Good stops on the defensive end were converted into easy baskets in transition. FIATC Joventut converged their defenses in the paint which led to a 5-1 block advantage for the game. The guests etched a 43-47 lead at the halftime break. Both teams were dead even in the third frame at 17-17 as defenses were tightened on both ends. The game boiled down to a miraculous shot by FIATC’s Gora Suton with two seconds left in regulation to lift his team to victory.

While Suton was the hero at the last second another key to FIATC Joventut’s success was a wave of strong performances from their reserves. Both Sitapha Savane and Clevin Hannah combined for just 34 minutes of action on the floor, but accounted for almost half of the team’s total output with 39 points.  Sitapha Savane got active in the low post and scored 20 points in 18 minutes, while Hannah added 19 points in 16 minutes. Goran Suton was the only starter who hit double figures with 13 points. It was just his last points of the game that were the most critical.

Ante Tomic led Barca with a spirited double-double performance with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Brad Oleson and Justin Doellman chipped 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Despite this disappointing and humbling loss, rest assured that FC Barcelona will bounce stronger and will look to close out games swiftly and convincingly moving forward.

Here are the complete results of Round 5:

CAI Zaragoza vs. UCAM Murcia, 82-63

Tuenti Movil Estudiantes Madrid vs. Baloncesto Fuenlabrada, 86-79

Real Madrid vs. Valencia Basket, 90-71

Rio Natura Monbus Obradorio CAB vs. Iberostar Tenerife CB Canarias, 63-82

FC Regal Barcelona vs. FIATC Joventut Badalona, 82-83

Unicaja Malaga vs. Gipuzkoa CB San Sebastian, 74-59

Laboral Kutxa Vitoria vs. La Bruixa d’Or Manresa, 87-67

Bilbao Basket vs. Baloncesto Sevilla, 89-61

MoraBanc Andorra vs. Herbalife Gran Canaria 2014, 91-86