MALAGA (Copa del Rey) - Winterthur Barcelona booked their place in Sunday’s Copa del Rey final after producing a third-period masterclass to defeat DKV Joventut 84-70 in Malaga.

Barca outscored their Catalan rivals 28-11 in the 10 minutes after half-time to break open a tight game and set up a final meeting with either Real Madrid or Tau Ceramica, who play their semi later on Saturday.

The Catalan giants were slow out of the blocks against DKV and conceded the first six points of the game before ending the first period trailing 19-16.

DKV, who had already won one local derby against Akasvayu Girona in overtime to get through the quarter-finals, then extended that advantage to 27-22 during the second period.

Aito Garcia Reneses’ side still held the upper hand three minutes into the second half at 42-38, but a Juan Carlos Navarro basket sparked a remarkable scoring spree from Barcelona.

Dusko Ivanovic’s team went on an 18-0 run en route to a 64-49 advantage at the end of the third period.

DKV, who like Barca were knocked out at the quarter-final stage of last season’s competition, staged a brave attempt at a recovery in the final period and got back to within six points at 73-67 with two minutes remaining.

However, a free throw from Jordi Trias and then back-to-back three-pointers from Slovenian international Jaka Lakovic and Navarro stopped the fightback dead and Barca ran out deserved winners.

Italian national team shooting guard Gianluca Basile paced Barca with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Trias added 16 points, seven rebounds and one assist.

Trias has been a revelation in the Copa as he poured in 18 in the quarter-final triumph over Unicaja.

For DKV, Spain international team-mate Rudy Fernandez also poured in 16 points, although he was a disappointing two of eight from three-point range.

FIBA
Mike Perez