The Adbisio ETL Global CN Manresa water polo team ended their season at home with a hard-fought 18-17 victory over AR Concepción Ciudad Lineal, decided by a penalty shootout in Manresa. The young squad, led by coach David Torilo, maintained composure in the final moments, despite a series of controversial referee decisions that nearly cost them the match.
The game started well for Manresa, who displayed strong offensive play, scoring almost every time they shot at goal. Torilo's team quickly established a three-goal lead, which they managed to hold onto until the final quarter thanks to solid defence. The home side even resisted effectively when playing with fewer players, with the Madrid team only managing to beat goalkeeper Ferran Garcia once in open play during the third quarter, and that was in the closing seconds. Until then, CN Manresa had been very strong, and only a lack of accuracy in front of goal prevented them from decisively ending the match earlier.
Late Drama Unfolds
However, the visitors from Madrid held on, and the match began to turn in the fourth period. Torilo's players were still attacking well, but they repeatedly hit the posts or were denied by the Madrid goalkeeper. Additionally, Manresa started conceding more easily, and the visitors drew level with four minutes left to play. From that point, the pressure was intense. Although the home team recovered from the psychological blow of losing their lead, they then had to contend with dubious referee decisions, including one that allowed a Madrid goal that reportedly did not cross the line.
Despite these challenges, Manresa forced a penalty shootout. When the team needed him most, Ferran Garcia stepped up, saving two penalties. This allowed Sergi Torrés to score the decisive penalty, securing a high-tension triumph for the Manresa side.
This victory provides a positive end to the season for the Manresa team and their supporters, highlighting their resilience under pressure. The experience gained in such a close contest will be valuable for the team's development in future seasons.
