REBI Balonmano Cuenca 21-36 Barça: Comfortable away win
A comfortable win for the Barça handball team on their travels, defeating REBI Balonmano Cuenca by 21-36. A good first half set the Catalans on their way to victory, with a 50% save rate from Emil Nielsen (9/18), and goals by Javi Rodríguez (8) and Melvyn Richardson (6) also proving vital for the win.
Explosive start on the road to victory
The difference between the two sides became clear from the outset, exemplified by Javier Rodríguez scoring within three minutes. Two 1-4 partial scores saw Barça 2-8 up after 10 minutes, including a great counter attack finished by Rodríguez after superb vision to see the pass by Janc.
The home side managed to score three without reply when Teixeira was sent off for two minutes, but the blaugranes reacted well, Richardson twice showing effectiveness from the spot.
The Conca keeper, Miguel Espinha, hadn't saved anything in the first 14 minutes, in contrast to his opposite, Emil Nielsen, who made nine saves in the first half. This assurance at the back allowed the Catalans to go in 9-18 at the break.
Smooth second half
The control continued for Carlos Ortega's side in the second half, and he took the chance to rotate his entire squad during the game. Espinha was keeping his side in the game, but Barça snuffed out any potential counterattacks, while Carlsbogard played an effective role in attack to ensure blaugrana domination continued until the game ended, final score 21-36.
Next up, Barça travel to play GOG at the Jyske Bank Arena in Denmark (6.45pm CET, Esport3 and DAZN) to try to stay top of Champions League Group B.
MATCH STATS
REBI Balonmano Cuenca 21
Barça 36
REBI Balonmano Cuenca: Miguel Espinha (11), Rudolph Hackbarth (0), Nacho Pizarro (3), Juanjo Fernández (1), Henrique Teixeira (0), Tchitombi Aurelien-Morgan (5), Alex Pozzer (3) - starting seven - Marcos Herraiz (1), Sergi Mach (1), Álvaro Martín (1), Jaime Colmena (1), Héctor Chicano (0), Diego Vera (4), Sergio López (1), David Notario (0), Guilherme Silva (1).
Barça: Emil Nielsen (9), Aitor Ariño (5), Blaz Janc (4), Dika Mem (2), Timothey N'Guessan (2), Petar Cikusa (1), Javi Rodríguez (8) - starting seven - Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (7), Pol Valera (0), Jonathan Carlsbogard (3), Aleix Gómez (1), Thiagus Petrus (0), Haniel Langaro (0), Melvyn Richardson (6), Luis Frade (1), Ian Barrufet (3).
Partial scores: 1-4 / 2-8 / 5-9 / 7-12 / 8-15 / 9-18 / halftime / 10-19 / 13-24 / 14-25 / 17-28 / 21-36.
Referees: Andrés Rosendo and José Carlos Friera.