By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
On the wrong end of the Copa del Rey Final, FC Barcelona players and head coach Roger Grimau were very disappointed in calls made by the referees during the El Clasico in Malaga on Sunday.
“In some calls, we were punished excessively,” noted 45-year-old Grimau after the marquee matchup of the Cup weekend across Europe.
“One of our best players was ejected in three minutes,” he referred to Jan Vesely, “For sure, they called fouls, but I do not know if the criteria are the same. A player on the other team playing 34 minutes committed three fouls.”
Furthering complaints from the flash interview with Movistar Plus+ to the postgame press conference, the Barca play-caller revealed a discussion surrounding a technical foul issued to Willy Hernangomez. “It is difficult to understand why Willy received a technical foul and told ‘this is not the NBA,’ he mentioned.
“We did not lose because of the referees,” he added, “But I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know…”
On the winning end, Los Blancos celebrated the Spanish Cup for the 29th time in team history. Barcelona remained stuck to 27 titles in the race between the ACB and Turkish Airlines EuroLeague powerhouses.
“We were considered the favorites, but everyone understands that the Copa del Rey is won by any team playing well over three days. Underperform in the Quarterfinals and you are out, regardless of club stature,” head coach Chus Mateo relayed the challenges of the annual eight-team tournament.