Barça 29–22 Flensburg-Handewitt: Into the quarters in style

Flensburg were the opposition at the Palau Blaugrana on Thursday, with Barça knowing that a win would certify direct passage to the quarter finals of the Champions League. And captained by an outstanding Pérez de Vargas the Catalans achieved what they set out so do.

The highlight of the first half was a stunning score from Ludovic Fabregas with his back to the goal as Barça slowly amassed a more and more meaningful lead to already have four points on their opponents by the time of the break.

The home side looked so comfortable that they were somewhat caught napping in the second half and suddenly found Flensburg right back in the game.

That was when the French connection of Dika Mem and N'guessan upped the ante and Barça eventually won it by a clear seven, with young Pablo Urdangarín also coming on for his first European experience.

But the man of the moment was Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas, who equalled his own Champions League record of 18 saves!

MATCH STATS

Barça: Pérez de Vargas, Thiagus Petrus, Ludovic Fàbregas (4), Dika Mem (4), Haniel Langaro (4), Aleix Gómez (9), Ángel Fernández, Luka Cindric, Timothey N'Guessan (4), Yussef Benali (1), Ali Zein, Melvyn Richardson (1), Domen Makuc (2) & Aitor Ariño.

Flensburg-Handewitt: Kevin Möller, Jim Gottfridsson (1), Johannes Golla (3), Magnus Abelvik Rod (2), Simon Hald, Teitur Orn Einarsson (1), Hampus Wanne (6), Benjamin Buric (gk, 31'-60'), Mensah Larsen (5), Goran Sogard, Hans Aaron Mensing (4) & Emil Jakobsen.

Periods: 2-3 / 6-5 / 7-7 / 10-7 / 13-10 / 15-11 // 17-12 / 20-14 / 22-16 / 24-18 / 24-21 / 29-22.

Referees: Mads Hansen & Jesper Madsen