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Diari de Catalunya

CN Sabadell Falls to CN Barcelona in First Semifinal Clash

The Sabadell team lost control of a match they dominated, leading to a penalty shootout where the Barcelona side proved more effective.

Generic image of a water polo ball in a swimming pool.
IA

Generic image of a water polo ball in a swimming pool.

CN Sabadell suffered a tough defeat against CN Barcelona in the first match of the men's Honor Division play-off semifinals, losing in a penalty shootout after dominating much of the game.

Quim Colet's team, who entered the tie as second in the regular season and with a favorable record in previous encounters this season, saw a match they had controlled for many minutes slip away. The Sabadell players had built significant leads, but the Barcelona team persisted until forcing a penalty shootout, where they won 19-20, thus taking the first point of the series.
CN Sabadell started the match with great intensity, opening the scoring with a goal from Barroso, followed by Vergara. Despite an expulsion that allowed CN Barcelona to narrow the gap, the local response was immediate with a goal from Sergi Cabanas. Martín Famera made it 4-1 with a powerful shot, in a tense start to the match that even led to a yellow card for the visiting coach.
The Sabadell team maintained control, with Fede Panerai scoring the fifth goal. Goalkeeper Edu Lorrio began to stand out with several key saves that frustrated CN Barcelona's attempts. However, Pol Daura scored the visitors' second goal before Panerai scored again. A penalty converted by Watanabe closed the first quarter with a 6-3 score.
The second period began with another goal from Cabanas, restoring the four-goal lead. The duel entered a phase of great defensive intensity, with both goalkeepers making excellent saves. Velkov capitalized on a collective action to score CN Barcelona's fourth goal, but Tiago Carrio responded with a spectacular goal for an 8-4 lead.
The Barcelona team continued to press, and Watanabe, from a penalty, brought them closer again. Sabadell, however, continued to find offensive resources, with Óscar Asensio adding the ninth local goal. Velkov narrowed the gap to 9-6 amidst an increasingly tense atmosphere. Protests over the refereeing were constant, and CN Barcelona had another penalty before halftime, which Watanabe sent to the post.
In the second half, Lorrio was again decisive with a great save, although Van de Weijden immediately reduced the deficit (9-7). The match became more balanced, but Sabadell maintained its offensive effectiveness. Jan Pérez scored a great goal, and Goma responded for the visiting team. Kosta Averka made it 11-8 before another series of saves from an immense Lorrio.
Pol Prat, from a penalty, brought CN Barcelona closer again, but Barroso also converted the first penalty for the hosts. Sergi Cabanas, with his third goal, seemed to give Sabadell some breathing room with a 13-9 lead. Nevertheless, the visitors did not give up, and Van de Weijden took advantage of a penalty caused by Tiago Carrio's third expulsion to leave the score at 14-11 at the end of the third quarter.
The final period was an exercise in resilience. CN Barcelona narrowed the gap with two consecutive goals from Pol Prat, one of them a penalty, making it a very tight 14-13. Sabadell, struggling in attack, saw the pressure mount after hitting the post.
At the most delicate moment, Kosta Averka emerged with a great goal that gave the hosts some oxygen. But CN Barcelona continued to strike, and Van de Weijden again left the duel at a single goal. Expulsions multiplied, and the match entered a frantic phase. Averka reappeared with another key goal to make it 16-14, but Pol Daura responded immediately. The final seconds were pure madness, with great interventions from Matarredona and intense tension. When it seemed that Sabadell had victory within reach, Pol Prat capped off his great performance with a goal to tie the score (16-16) with only twelve seconds remaining.
The first semifinal clash was decided by penalties. Matarredona saved Barroso's shot, while Goma sent his to the post. Vergara scored the first for the hosts, but Pol Daura equalized the shootout. The Barcelona goalkeeper again made a great save against Averka, and Pol Prat put CN Barcelona ahead. Valera and Cabanas kept Sabadell alive, but Van de Weijden and, finally, Watanabe did not miss. The Japanese player converted the decisive penalty to give the first point of the tie to the Barcelona team, after a match where the Sabadell players had been superior for much of the game. Pol Prat was chosen as the best player of the match.

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