Spanish League, Day 1: Two one-sided contests and two hard battles

The Spanish League returned to its usual format. Twelve teams will play in a single group, unlike the previous season when the clubs were split into two groups in the first part of the season.

An incomplete first round has been played this weekend. Two games have been postponed due to the participation of the Spanish clubs (Sabadell and Sant Andreu) in the LEN Euro Cup.

2021/22 Spanish League, Day 1

Barcelona – Rubi 16:6 (6:3, 3:1, 3:2, 4:0)

Barcelona: Tahull 6, Estrany 4, Van den Burg 3, Valls 1, Duric 1, Mallarach 1.
Rubi: Carrasco 2, Soler 1, Karaman 1, Schofield 1, Soriano 1.

Navarra – Terrassa 5:16 (1:5, 1:8, 2:1, 1:2)

Navarra: J.Fernandez 1, Arriazu 1, Contreras 1, Franco 1, Zulaica 1.
Terrassa: Barroso 4, Carrillo 2, Flores 2, Chico 2, Alegre 1, F.Sanchez 1, Alarcon 1,Gutierrez 1, De Lera 1, Rodriguez 1.

Mataro – Mediterrani 7:7 (2:2, 2:2, 2:3, 1:0)

Mataro: Weerd 3, Daura 1, Andrade 1, V. Fernandez 1.
Mediterrani: Minguell 2, Prat 2, Corres 1, Linares 1, Radic 1.

Real Canoe – Catalunya 11:10 (3:2, 3:3, 2:2, 3:3)

Real Canoe: M.J.Gonzalez 4, Alcon 2, Lema 2, Ibanez 1, Jimenez 1, Romero 1.
Catalunya: Gomez 4, Ferrer 3, Santiveri 2, S.Gonzalez 1.

Barceloneta – Sabadell postponed
Tenerife – Sant Andreu postponed

Barcelona and Terrassa recorded easy wins in their final rehearsals for the 2nd round of the Champions League Qualifications, which will be played next weekend. The other two games offered more excitement.

Mataro and Mediterrani shared the points after a neck-and-neck race. Only once, two goals separated the rivals. Mediterrani opened the game with a 2:0 lead, but Mataro leveled at 2:2 before the first break. Mediterrani took a one-goal lead three times in the second period, but Mataro equalized on each occasion. The game followed the same pattern after the middle break. Mediterrani was going in front, while Mataro successfully chased the rival and earned a point. In the 28th minute, Mediterrani’s Daura converted a man-up for 7:7, and that was the last goal in the game.

Real Canoe edged out Catalunya. The Madrid-based side controlled the match. Catalunya was trailing all the way, but Real secured the win at the finish of the game. In the 14th minute, Real had a 3-goal lead (6:3). Catalunya leveled at 6:6 early in the third. The hosts entered the final quarter with a slim advantage (8:7). The Catalans continued chasing Real and equalized twice in the fourth quarter (8:8, 9:9). Three minutes before the end, Real gained an 11:9 lead, and the visitors scored just a consolation goal after that.

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