Zurab Talakvadze

Barcelona in at the crossroads

Barcelona had to win in an away game versus Valencia. And so they did win 66:62. In a low scoring affair, this team won the prideful battle and stopped the 4 game skid.

Barcelona was on the ropes, but survived. And those fighting guys did it without the prime performer of the season for them so far: Tornike Shengelia. 

Toko is having a monster season. So far, ine the whole Euroleague season he had just three games, where he did not score in double figures. He is leading his team by example and is doing maximum on offense and defense as well. Toko takes no prisoners is a true fighter on and off the court for this team. 

Shengelia is averaging 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and some needed 0.8 steals per game. He always in the center of a well oiled offense, where Barcelona relies on some experienced tough guys. But Shengelia is a linchpin for this team. He is the vocal leader and the true energizer. And imagine the importance of this battle vs Valencia, where the lacked Toko’s anger, his energy and some world class basketball, that only he is capable of playing. 

Barcelona still needs some good streak. And Barcelona knows, that at this stretch of the season every win comes with a dogfight. Nevermind  the opponent. Almost all the teams are fighting for some prestige and Barcelona will have to regroup on time. 

The battled hard and held  the high scoring Valencia to one of  the season lows in scoring. They held Valencia to only six three point shots,  that was a season low for this club. 14 assists for Valencia was also a season worst result for these chaos seekers. 

But still. Valencia was leading 60:55 with less than 3 minutes remaining. Only to see Barcelona shopw its best defensive effort of the season so far. Jan Vesely and Joel Parra scored some timely points and the game was out of reach. 

Toko needs to come back real quick and Barcelona is waiting for the warrior to act like one.