MADRID, 16 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
FC Barcelona and BM Logroño La Rioja qualified this Saturday for the final of the Spanish Men's Handball Cup, which is being played at the Artaleku Municipal Sports Center (Irún), thanks to their respective victories against Fraikin Granollers (42- 33) and CD Bidasoa (27-28).
After the controversy experienced in the previous days between ASOBAL and the Royal Spanish Handball Federation (RFEBM), due to the way this tournament was organized and which put its celebration in check, the purely sporting aspect began with a first semifinal that measured the host against the Riojan team.
In a vibrant start, the Franjivino team quickly shook off the fervor of the local fans and had timid advantages during the first half, supported by the offensive contribution of Álvaro Preciado. Bidasoa opted for mobility to overcome the rival defense, full of centimeters, and in this way they came back to go into the break with a favorable 14-12.
The return to the court confirmed that irundarra dominance, with Iñaki Cavero successful in front of the rival goal. But the locals did not finish off Miguel Ángel Velasco's men, whose fortitude equalized the contest until causing a heart-stopping outcome. And there the defensive strength of Logroño La Rioja shone, with Mohamed Aly showing firmness in goal.
Then Barça entered the scene, the main favorite to win this title and which quickly opened a gap in the Catalan derby of the second 'semi'. The culés already doubled Granollers on the scoreboard halfway through the first half (12-6), without allowing themselves to be surprised either before the break (21-16) or during the second half (accumulated partial of 21-17).