The ECS Barcelona series entered week three with still everything to play for.
Day Eleven saw Group A teams back in action and Bangladesh Kings increase their semi final chances with two convincing victories over Pakcelona and Hawks. United kept pace with Kings by beating Fateh, who could only score 35 runs against the in form team from Girona. However, Fateh came back strongly in game four to dent Badalona Shaheen´s hopes with a 15 run victory.
Matches 45 to 48 saw Men in Blue in action in games one, three and four of the second day in week three. Unfortunately, they failed to secure victory in any of their matches against Pak Montcada, Jove Units and Raval Sporting. Jove Units and Pak Montcada contested game two and it was Motcada who came out of it with the two points after a six wicket victory with four balls to spare.
Half way through the second week and Group A were back in action and United and Kings confirmed their places in the last four. Kings beat Bengali in game one of the day to confirm their place along side the already qualified United. Bengali then beat Hawks in their final game to record their first points of the competition.
Third game of the day was a dead rubber between the Tigers and Hawks, but that did not stop the excitement as the Tigers won by a solitary run. The final Group A game also involved the Tigers and this game was even closer as they tied the match in ten overs with Pakcelona. Requiring the golden ball to separate the two teams it was the Tigers in the field who won the match, by restricting the Hawks to just one run.
The final day of the Group stage had three teams hoping to reach the last four. Gracia posted 198 in game one to easily defeat Jove Units but then lost out to Pak Montcada who kept their semi final hopes alike. Cataluyna confirmed their place with victory over Hira in game three and then the mouthwatering clash between Falco and Cataluyna. A heavy loss for Falco would mean Montcada crept into the last four. As it happens Cataluyna did win to go through the Group stage unbeaten, but Falco ensured the deficit was not sufficent for Montcada to overtake them.
Semi Final line ups ended being Falco v United and Cataluyna v Kings. Falco turned up for the semi finals and beat United by 21 runs. The second semi final was even closer with Cataluyna edging out Kings by just 10 runs. United were too powerful for Kings in the Bronze match and Cataluyna maintained there 100% record to be crowned worthy champions after an 11 run victory over Falcoin the final.
15 days, 16 teams and 60 matches, the biggest event for cricket anywhere in the world this year. Massive plaudits go to Cricket Catala, Cricket España and the ECS for their team work in creating a fantastic event. The ECS moves to Rome and Cricket España wait until the end of the month to see if it will be Minhaj or La Manga who represent Spain in the ECL next year.
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