The Valencia vs. Sevilla match was a grueling and intense duel that seemed like it could go on for hours. Both teams struggled to break through the opposing defense and create scoring opportunities. Valencia showed signs of vulnerability in their attack, with players who were eager but lacked balance against a rival team that focused on obstructing their progress. This strategy was successful for both Rafa Benítez’s Celta and Quique Sánchez Flores’ Sevilla, as they were able to stifle Valencia’s game plan. While the draw was not enough for the home team, it was a valuable point for Sevilla, who moved further away from the relegation zone, albeit with their first shot on goal in added time. [Narrative and statistics]

Valencia relied on their audacity and the passion of Mestalla Stadium, using it as an additional weapon in their arsenal. This stadium has become a symbol of resistance against an owner who has been causing turmoil within the club, while the young team shows resilience despite their limitations. Valencia made a strong start, with unexpected moves like Fran Pérez’s early attempt at goal that left Baraja frustrated for being left alone up front without troubling Nyland. These moments demonstrate the contrasting aspects of Valencia’s performance. They were capable of overpowering Sevilla in the opening minutes without being able to convert their dominance into goals. Pepelu and Guillamón made their presence felt against Soumaré and Óliver, while Canós tried to find a way to unsettle an increasingly disciplined Sevilla defense.

This disciplined approach is the hallmark of Quique’s Sevilla team, which confidently played with three centre-backs. However, in Mestalla, they struggled to maintain their usual rhythm and were unable to create scoring opportunities for En-Nesyri and Isaac Romero. Their desperation and lackluster performance meant they couldn’t capitalize on Valencia’s mistakes, even though there were chances to do so. With limited possession, they failed to register a shot on goal, as Navas and Kike Salas failed to make an impact in their attacking races, and Sow and Acuña focused more on ball-watching than on fighting for possession.

Sevilla found themselves increasingly confined to their own half, while Valencia showcased their two key weapons to disrupt Sevilla’s defensive order. One of these weapons is Gayà, who showcased his ability to maraud down the wing and deliver a cross that Yaremchuk failed to convert past Nyland. The other weapon was Foulquier, who surprised Sevilla with unexpected bursts of pace and fueled Fran Pérez’s energetic play. This led to moments of chaos in Mestalla, including a penalty appeal for a push on Fran Pérez by Isaac, which was not given by the referee, Soto Grado.

The second half followed a similar script, with Sevilla content to defend and avoid making mistakes, knowing that a draw would be a satisfactory result. This cautious approach was a consequence of living on the edge and trying to avoid defeat. Despite making substitutions like Pedrosa and Suso to gain control, Sevilla struggled to break free from Valencia’s pressure. On the other hand, Valencia repeatedly fell into Sevilla’s defensive trap, as dominant as they were ineffective in their attacking efforts. The only successful attempt from Yaremchuk against Sergio Ramos was ruled offside, while Javi Guerra and Peter Federico failed to make a significant impact. Valencia began to realize that holding onto their hard-earned point was better than risking a loss, especially when Ramos had a header that missed the target and Veliz’s shot was the only one that troubled Sevillismo throughout the match.

El Cholo is known for his cryptic messages, but when it comes to issues with the schedule, his complaints have been loud and public. And after watching Atlético’s performance against Las Palmas, it’s hard to argue that the Argentine wasn’t at least partly right. The team, for the first time in a week after the return of the Super Cup, was on fire. They scored two goals within the first 20 minutes and ended the game with a whopping five goals, which could have been more if Correa had been more accurate. [Narrative and Statistics, 5-0]

In anticipation of the upcoming match against Milan, or maybe to bolster their physical arguments, Simeone sent out a team of warriors to overpower Las Palmas. The high pressure they applied on the Canaries was intensified by the fact that the yellow team, this time in black, seemed to have arrived an hour late for the match. Perhaps the time difference got to them. The match against Las Palmas was inexplicable, especially considering the difficulties Atletico faced in the first leg at the island stadium.

Atletico underwent a revolution both in their tactics and lineup. They switched from their usual 5-3-2 formation to a 4-4-2, and had an unprecedented forward pairing of Correa and Llorente. This was the first time Llorente had played alongside Correa in Cholo’s lineup since their match against Liverpool in the 2020 Champions League, where Atletico emerged victorious. The Madrid-born player also scored a brace, although this time it came in the last 20 minutes of the game.

On this occasion, Correa and the yellow defense aided Llorente in finding the back of Álvaro Valles’ net. In the first goal, Llorente took advantage of a rebound off Perrone’s body and calmly slotted the ball to the left of the Canarian goalkeeper. For his second goal, Correa passed the ball to Llorente after a deflection from Coco, and the Spaniard made no mistake from the penalty spot to secure his brace.

Las Palmas, a team known for their possession-based style of play, struggled to cope with Atletico’s relentless pressure, and every attempt of theirs to build from the back ended in frustration. They managed to break through the red and white defense twice in the first half, with Javi Muñoz scoring a stunning long-range goal and Munir’s shot rattling off the crossbar. Before that, Lino had also tested the Canarian defense with a skillful move, but Valles denied him with an exceptional save.

The second half started much like the first, with the only difference being that this time Correa managed to convert one of his chances. The Argentine forward, who had previously missed a clear opportunity, capitalized on a corner kick. Although the initial ball was cleared by the defense, Koke fought for the aerial duel and Correa was left unmarked in the penalty area, making it easy for him to find the back of the net.

In the 66th minute, Figueroa Vázquez made a questionable decision to not review a clear penalty foul by Marvin on Lino. Marvin had tripped Lino without touching the ball, and Correa was awarded a penalty. It was a day of doubles for Correa, and he rightfully deserved this moment of joy. He could have completed a hat-trick if he had capitalized on a steal in the center of the field with Vallés 30 meters away from his goal. He also had another chance on the counter, but his shot missed the target.

In the 80th minute, Kirian was about to take a dangerous free kick on Atletico’s territory, but he slipped and ended up conceding a throw-in instead. The sight of Kirian falling with his face up, resembling a turtle trying to turn over, was a fitting metaphor for the entire match at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Las Palmas never showed up in Madrid, and they suffered their biggest defeat of the season. To top it off, Memphis scored a cheeky handball goal in the penultimate minute of the game. They should have set their alarm an hour earlier. You know, because of the time difference.

With the essence of Chichi Creus, the TDK star who surprised everyone with a remarkable performance in the Murcia Cup 28 years ago, Baxi Manresa showcased their dreams for nearly 38 minutes at the Carpena. It was an extraordinary feat. Jabari Parker and Laprovittola, displaying pure class, came through when the pressure was high, unleashing an 8-0 run that secured Barça’s spot in the semi-finals. On Saturday, they will face either Unicaja or Tenerife. [Narrative and statistics (102-91)]

It was a sigh of relief for Roger Grimau, as he progressed further than Jasikevicius did last year. Although his team did not shine and struggled to respond to Manresa’s offensive audacity, they remained calm during the crucial moments and advanced to the next stage.

Among the eight teams participating in Malaga, Baxi Manresa was the most unexpected contender. They may not be familiar with these summits, but they outperformed Baskonia and Joventut in the first round, earning their place in the tournament. Once on the court, just like they did two years ago, they fearlessly danced, even though Barcelona was their first opponent. They played without any inhibitions and showed great determination. Although they started with a 9-18 deficit, only Jabari Parker played at an elite level for the Blaugrana, who had defeated them at Congost on the previous Sunday.

Grimau, in his coaching debut, had to make adjustments to his players. The defensive intensity they had shown was not sufficient. Willy and Laprovittola brought energy to the team, while Da Silva provided stability in the backcourt. Logic prevailed before halftime, with rebound dominance serving as their greatest advantage against the favorites.

The halftime break was a fresh start for the Bages team, marking their relentless pursuit of victory. Their return was filled with adrenaline, as they sparked a 2-13 run that rattled Barça and pushed them dangerously close to disaster. However, the Blaugrana recovered, with Willy making a significant impact, and Baxi Manresa fought back with Brandon Taylor’s exceptional talent. Five consecutive points from the point guard narrowed the gap to 87-88 with less than three minutes left on the clock.

In the end, it was talent that resolved Barcelona’s moment of maximum alert. Just like Campazzo did the day before against Murcia, Laprovittola took charge with composure and Jabari showcased his skills (with two crucial free throws missed by Badio during that decisive stretch). An 8-0 run put an end to Manresa’s dream.

It smelled like victory, and it tasted like triumph. The scent and flavor of gold, reminiscent of the finest wine. Hugo González outperformed himself in the 200 backstroke, improving upon his already impressive silver medal in the 100. He swam with his characteristic technique, starting slow and steadily building up momentum. Even though he was in sixth place for the first 50 meters, we had no concerns. It was all part of his strategy. By the 100 mark, he had moved up to second place. Was he going too fast? Shouldn’t he have stayed in fourth or fifth? Impatience or a calculated move? Would his efforts pay off in the end?

At the 150 mark, he surged forward, securing third place. Excellent. He had conserved some energy for the final push, making sure to maintain a perfect balance. Countless hours of training and timing had prepared him for this moment. Swimming strokes synchronized with the ticking of a stopwatch, he was both an athlete and a machine. A man of passion and precision. Now, after the last turn, it was time to give it his all, without calculations or tactics. To push himself to the limit. To win.

And win he did. There was no doubt in the minds of the spectators at the world final in Doha. The gap between him and the other swimmers was noticeable and widening with each stroke. He was swimming. He was soaring. Gone were the concerns of the Spanish team and those watching the event on television. Anticipation and joy filled the air with every meter. The stopwatch, unbiased as always, displayed an exact time: 1:55.30, a new personal best for him, although it fell short of Aschwin Wildeboer’s laminated record (1:54.92). Trailing far behind was Swiss swimmer Roman Mityukov with a time of 1:55.40.

Hugo, who will be celebrating his 25th birthday on Monday, had already become the junior world champion in the same event at the age of 16. He now joins the ranks of the four Spanish gold medalists in swimming, alongside Martín López Zubero, Nina Zhivanevskaya, and Mireia Belmonte. This victory solidifies his position as a leader in Spanish swimming. Any doubts he once had, stemming from the lack of recognition for his hard work, seem to have vanished.

This gold medal carries more than just recognition. It symbolizes his dedication and sacrifices, which have not been in vain. It serves as a reminder of his potential for greatness. And let’s not forget, it is not just any medal, but gold, the most precious metal that surpasses the value of silver and bronze combined. We had missed this moment. We needed it. All that glitters is indeed gold.

It was a day of success for Spain, as their women’s water polo team secured the bronze medal, triumphing over Greece (10-9). Earlier in the day, the 4×200 free relay set a new Spanish record (7:10.63) in the semifinals. Luis Dominguez also claimed the individual record with a time of 1:47.02, surpassing César Castro’s time (1:47.13). However, Castro reclaimed the record later in the afternoon final with a time of 1:47.01, while the team finished eighth (7:11.65). Mario Mollà qualified for the final of the 100 butterfly, but unfortunately, Africa Zamorano did not advance in the women’s 200 backstroke event.

Just 10 days after receiving a provisional suspension from the International Athletics Federation (World Athletics), Mo Katir has now been officially disqualified for two years due to skipping three anti-doping controls. This Friday, it was announced that he will be banned from competition from February 7, 2024, until February 6, 2026, effectively preventing his participation in the upcoming Paris Games. While he has the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport of Lausanne (CAS), this marks a major setback for the world runner-up in the 5,000 meters.

Initially, Katir had planned to plead for precautionary measures that would enable him to compete in the Olympics. However, due to the strong opposition from the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) to include him in the team while facing an open case, he has abandoned this plan. To have a chance at participating, Katir had to convince World Athletics to temporarily lift his suspension and then take his case to ordinary justice in order for the RFEA to consider him for the Paris Games. However, this has proven to be a difficult and time-consuming process.

In a statement released on Friday, Katir acknowledged the inevitability of the sanction and the need to comply with it as soon as possible. He changed his defense strategy, admitting his mistake in the matter. While initially claiming errors in the ADAMS system that tracks athletes, he now accepts responsibility, stating, “This problem has been motivated because I am a very clueless person.” Katir explains that one of the missed controls resulted from not sending an email to the correct recipient, while another was a result of failing to arrive home within the 60-minute window given by anti-doping doctors.

Unable to follow the example of Adel Mechaal, a Spanish middle distance runner who competed with precautionary measures during his suspension, Katir plans to appeal his sentence, hoping for a reduction like American sprinter Christian Coleman achieved in 2021. While missing the Olympic Games, Coleman’s appeal was successful, allowing him to return to competition the following season. If Katir’s strategy proves successful, he may aim to make a comeback for the 2025 Tokyo World Cup and defend his silver medal in the 5,000 meters.

Despite the consequences of his actions, Katir has not lost his sporting career. He continues to receive a scholarship to train at the Sierra Nevada High Performance Center (CAR) and his sponsorship from Asics remains intact. However, he has lost the trust of his teammates, many of whom expressed disappointment upon learning of his sanction. While Katir temporarily threatened to leave Spain and represent his country of origin, Morocco, it is believed to have been an emotional response rather than a serious consideration.