El Zonzamas Plus Car Lanzarote saw an island derby of maximum tension escape them by falling 27-28 against Cicar Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife in the Municipal Pavilion of San Bartolomé, in a match corresponding to matchday 20 of the Liga Guerreras Iberdrola that was decided in the last breath. The victory allows the Arrecife team to stay alive in the fight for permanence, while the batateras were left at the gates of adding points in a duel full of emotion and nerves.
The match started with great intensity and with Cicar more plugged in in the early stages, taking small leads on the scoreboard (3-4, min. 6). Paula Fernández returned the equality with a counterattack at 7:40 (4-4), in a start marked by the high pace and defensive toughness of both teams. Although Zonzamas pushed from behind, Cicar maintained the pulse and every possession was played as if it were the last.
In the 16th minute, Brenda Roger burst in with power to seal the 8-7, but the reef team, aware that a good part of their chances of avoiding mathematical relegation were at stake, responded with character. They managed to get back in front and Juan J. Rivera was forced to call a timeout with the score at 10-11 (min. 23). Marie Louis equalized from seven meters in the 26th (12-12) and, shortly after, put her team ahead again, which led Cicar to request their own timeout in the 27th. The first half ended in a 14-14 tie, reflecting the maximum equality experienced on the court.
After the break, the match entered a back-and-forth phase, with more speed and Zonzamas somewhat more accurate in attack. Irene Botella made it 18-16 in the 36th minute, giving the home team some breathing room, but Cicar upped a gear and managed to come back with a goal from seven meters by Alba Tort for 19-20 in the 42nd. The clash continued to move within minimal margins and in the 49th minute the scoreboard again showed a tie, 23-23.
In the decisive stretch, the defenses gained prominence. Cicar called a timeout at 54 with a 24-25 lead, seeking to manage the final attacks. Zonzamas did not give up and responded blow for blow. With one minute left, the Arrecifeño team was attacking with a 26-27 score, Marie Louis scored the equalizer on a counterattack, but Cicar found an outside shot on the last play that went in at the buzzer, sealing the definitive 27-28 and unleashing the visiting joy.
A cruel outcome for Zonzamas, who competed until the end in a highly tense derby, and a vital triumph for Cicar Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife, who achieves their first victory of the season and keeps their options alive in the fight for permanence.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Zonzamas Plus Car Lanzarote (27): Valentina Menucci, Marie Louis (9), Brenda Roger (6), Ingrid Roger, Gleinys Reyes (2), Yasmin Frederica Fernandes, Paula Fernández (5), Luna Voncina, Alicia Robles, Irene Botella (3), Nahomi Márquez, Claudia Kaulback (1), Daniela Jerónimo (1), Amara Rodríguez.
Coach: Juan José Rivera Ortega.
Cicar Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife (28): Ana Radovic (1), Rocío Sthefani Squizziato (3), Leticia Cobo (3), Irene Sánchez, Gema Trujillo, Mornesa Alfredo Tenda (1), Thalyta Vitoria Cardoso Almeida (2), Celia López (1), Thais Adrielle Fermo (4), Ahinara Hernández, Valheria Valdovinos, Carla Rivas, Alba Tort (7), Marilia Correia Francisco (6), Ana Marín, Dana Calero.
Coach: Carlos Alberto Britos.
Referees: Antonio Javier García del Salto and José Antonio Huertas Herrador. They excluded Brenda Roger, Gleinys Reyes (min. 52:43), Irene Botella (2), and Nahomi Márquez for Zonzamas Plus Car Lanzarote; and Mornesa Alfredo Tenda (min. 26:00) for Cicar Lanzarote Ciudad de Arrecife.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the 20th matchday of the Liga Guerreras Iberdrola played at the Pabellón Municipal de San Bartolomé before about 800 spectators.
