Catalonia suffered a close defeat (74-76) against Great Britain in a friendly basketball match held at the Nou Congost arena in Manresa. The game, attended by 2,513 spectators, highlighted the competitive level of the Catalan team, which held its own against the opponent for most of the contest.
The squad coached by Jaume Ponsarnau started strongly, achieving an initial 7-0 run led by Jaume Lobo. Although Great Britain reacted, Catalonia maintained control in the first half, with Lobo and Busquets as top scorers. The visiting team briefly took the lead in the second quarter, but a local improvement, fueled by several opponent turnovers, allowed them to extend their advantage.
The third quarter was marked by parity and low outside shooting accuracy from both sides. Great Britain, with contributions from Olaseni, Hesson, and Wheatle, attempted a comeback, but the score indicated an open game.
The turning point came in the final quarter when Catalonia experienced a significant lapse in concentration. Great Britain achieved a 0-11 run, putting them five points ahead. Despite a last-second three-pointer from Pep Busquets that energized the crowd, the Catalan team could not recover. Although victory was within reach with a shot from Lluís Costa, the final score was unfavorable.
The result was secondary in a festive atmosphere for Catalan basketball.
