On April 20, 2025, the Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona hosted an exciting clash between FC Barcelona and Dreamland Gran Canaria in the Liga Endesa. The match, which kicked off at 18:30 CET, showcased the fierce competition that defines Spanish basketball.
Barcelona entered the game as the fifth-ranked team in the league, boasting a record of 16 wins and 11 losses, along with a +128 scoring differential. Their recent form included victories over Granada (93-86), Joventut (93-86), and Zaragoza (97-95), but they narrowly lost to Real Madrid (91-89). Coach Joan Peñarroya's squad had been favorites in their last 14 encounters against Gran Canaria, losing only once in the past 15 meetings.
On the other hand, Gran Canaria, positioned eighth in the league with a record of 14 wins and 12 losses, was looking to capitalize on their recent successes, having won three of their last four games. Their victories included matches against Unicaja (91-89), Girona (95-86), and Manresa (94-89), though they suffered a defeat against Bilbao Basket (96-78) before this matchup.
The starting lineups for both teams were as follows: Barcelona fielded Tomas Satoransky, Álex Abrines, Darío Brizuela, Jabari Parker, and Youssoupha Fall. Meanwhile, Gran Canaria opted for Andrew Albicy, Joe Thomasson, Nico Brussino, John Shurna, and Mike Tobey. Both teams aimed to secure a critical win in their quest for playoff positions.
As the game commenced, Gran Canaria stunned the home crowd with a strong start, going on a 0-9 run. Andrew Albicy opened the scoring for the visitors, followed by contributions from Shurna and a three-pointer from Tobey, putting Barcelona on the back foot. The early momentum was a surprise, as Gran Canaria quickly established a 2-12 lead.
Barcelona called a timeout to regroup, and the adjustment seemed to pay off as they began to chip away at the deficit. Kevin Punter ignited the Barcelona offense, and by the end of the first quarter, the home team had closed the gap significantly, trailing 21-29.
In the second quarter, the intensity ramped up as both teams exchanged baskets. Gran Canaria's John Shurna continued to shine, scoring 18 points by halftime. However, Barcelona's depth began to show as they utilized their bench effectively, scoring 32 points compared to Gran Canaria's 8 from their substitutes. By halftime, the score stood at 41-46 in favor of Gran Canaria.
The third quarter saw Barcelona take control of the game. With a series of impressive plays, including a three-pointer from Nico Brussino and a dunk from Justin Anderson, the momentum shifted. Barcelona's players, particularly Jabari Parker and Darío Brizuela, found their rhythm, leading to a 81-67 score at the end of the third quarter.
As the final period unfolded, it became evident that Barcelona was not going to relinquish their lead. Despite Gran Canaria's attempts to rally, including a late surge from Thomasson and Shurna, the home team maintained their composure and executed their plays effectively. Barcelona's defensive efforts stifled Gran Canaria's scoring opportunities, and they closed out the game with a convincing performance.
In the end, Barcelona secured a solid victory, further solidifying their place in the league standings and extending their dominance over Gran Canaria. The final score reflected the competitive nature of the match, with Barcelona emerging victorious.
This win not only boosts Barcelona's confidence as they look ahead to their upcoming matches but also highlights the resilience of Gran Canaria, who will need to regroup and focus on their next challenges in the league.
