Laia Palau’s face picking up the silver plate-shaped trophy showed that although her legs are more tired, her desire for victory is still intact. The Girona base has 5 Copas de la Reina to his credit, half that of the rival in front of him. And he achieved the dream of his team last year, the only one of the last six that has not conquered the Perfumeries. Then, the Catalans beat the Salamancans in the semifinals (78-91), before beating Valencia at La Fonteta (72-62), the same venue that has hosted the big event this season. But the power to repeat is held by only a chosen few, and the dynasty of Avenida has not settled for stumbling twice on the same stone.
Precisely around Laia Palau the match broke up. With 48-47 on the scoreboard, the Catalan made her third foul and coach Alfred Julbe was forced to reserve the player. Two minutes later, Avenida, who never separated more than 6 points (30-24 in the second quarter), went to a lead of 10 (60-50) that seemed insurmountable. It was curious that in the absence of Palau, Girona sank. The claim to immortality of a unique player causes the spiritual emptiness that leaves when he goes to the bench escapes logic and ends up having an impact on sports. As much as his moments of individual brilliance, with 42 years behind him, are now rarer than before.
Girona did not say its last word and fought until the end. He was faithful to his style and consistent with his advantages and limitations both in the disadvantage suffered in the third period, as in the final comeback attempt: counterattack, speed and a huge number of shots of three that contrast with those of their rivals (8 of 32 for the Catalans, 3 in only 8 attempts by Perfumerías). On the other hand, fewer incursions into the area and fewer fouls, with 12 visits to the staff (in 11 hits) for the 28 of the Avenida. Something that sank them in the moment of crisis, but gave them wings in the endwhen they came within just two points (71-69) with just over a minute to go.
The magic ended when the triples stopped coming in and Perfumerías resolved from the personal with Hof, one of the heroines of the afternoon (17 points and 7 rebounds). The other was, of course, a superlative Silvia Rodríguez, with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists.. Onyemwere held Girona in the first half (14 points at the end) and Burke emerged at the end, but shot too much and with little success from outside (1 of 7 in triples). Laia, the soul, had 6 points, 5 rebounds and a disappointed face in one of the last finals she will play, according to logic. And Roberto Íñiguez’s team once again reigned in the Cup, at La Fonteta and with a stand that this time was full of public. Heroines on court in a beautiful basketball tournament in which Perfumerías Avenida has won. The jewel in the crown of a great dynasty.