The Bidasoa visits Barcelona
The Bidasoa-Irun team goes to Barcelona with their minds set on the second leg of the European qualifier against the Norwegian Kolstad, which will be played three days lateralthough his competitive level may allow him to fight against the leader of the Asobal League in an honorable match (4:15 p.m.).
The European competition rules because at stake it is passing to a group stage that would bring money and fans to Artaleku in the coming months and, taking into account that there is an unbeatable rival in national competition, it is certain that Jacobo Cuétara is not going to burn the ships in the Palau.
Three days with a trip in between suggest rotations and rest for the basic players, because the Irun team can face the Catalans, as they did last season (26-32), with a team with prominence of the juniors who were proclaimed European champions this summer.
Eneko Furundarena, Gorka Nieto, Julen Mujika can therefore have more minutes if Cuétara pulls them, and also in the chamber are other young talents from the current bidasotarra project such as Tao Gey or Xabier Barreto on the wings to offer quality minutes.
The border team, tied for second place with three wins in a row who have contributed the six points in his locker, has the doubt of the Cuban Dariel García and Víctor Rodríguez. Both were left out against Kolstad but above all the first is very close to reappearing and could be shot in Barcelona ahead of the Norway match.
Bidasoa-Irun’s goal prior to the national team’s match break in mid-October would be signed if they beat Guadalajara next weekend and get through the continental round, which would be a complete success for the Gipuzkoans, who at the same time will enjoy competing against the best team in the world this afternoon.
The coach of the irundarra team, Jacobo Cuétara, stressed that Barcelona “is in a good moment and all you have to do is look at the results he has achieved and against which teams he has achieved them, such as Kielce, Pick Szeged, Celje… He is competing very well with a very well-made team that has worked for a long time and we know of his difficulty, no only for us but for their rivals in Europe”.
Cuétara did not attach much importance to the fact that this match is in the middle of the tie to enter the group stage of the European League, which will be resolved next Tuesday in the second leg against Kolstad, and sees his squad with confidence after winning the first leg against the Norwegians for three goals. “Getting wins, even if it’s in a two-leg tie, gives you confidence, picks up the pace and also says that we’re on the right track,” he assured.
“We are looking forward to all the matches and this Saturday’s against Barcelona as well”, concluded the Asturian coach.