Barceloneta continues its pursuit of a 26th national championship title. The team, which has dominated Spanish water polo for years, defeated Sabadell 17:13 in the first match of the playoff final.
Barceloneta earned a crucial advantage in a 10-goal first quarter. Cabanas scored an opening goal for Sabadell after just 14 seconds, from a penalty.But, Barceloneta’s response was strong. The hosts scored four goals in a row, establishing a 4:1 lead midway through the first period. Hungarian, Gergely Burian, scored three goals in the last three minutes of the first quarter, helping his team to enter the second period with a 7:3 advantage.
At halftime, it stood 9:6, but Sabadell seriously jeopardized Barceloneta’s advantage early in the second half. Sergi Cabanas opened the third period with two goals, reducing the gap to 8:9. Still, Barceloneta answered with a 3:0 run and rebuilt a 4-goal lead (12:8). In the fourth quarter, Barceloneta stretched the margin to five (14:9, 16:11, and 17:12) and recorded a comfortable win.
The team that wins two games will secure the trophy, meaning that Barceloneta will have a chance to claim a new title next weekend in Sabadell.
2026 Spanish League, playoffs
Final (best of three), Game 1
Barceloneta – Sabadell 17:13 (7:3, 2:3, 4:3, 4:4)
Barceloneta: Burian 5, Munarriz 2, Sanahuja 2, Tahull 2, Vigari 2, Biel 2, Bustos 2.
Sabadell: Asensio 3, Barroso 3, Cabanas 3, Famera 2, Averka 1, Real 1.
5th-place playoffs(best of three), Game 1
Sant Andreu – Mataro 11:20 (3:5, 2:6, 4:4, 2:5)
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: total-waterpolo.com
