Barça 31-26 Benidorm: Another step closer to the title

Another step towards winning the league title. This was a hard fought win for Barça against Benidorm, but it leaves them only two points from mathematically being confirmed as champions. Despite Barça leading throughout, Benidorm didn't make it easy, attempting to slow the game down whenever possible.

Barça take early control

Maciel's saves played a key role throughout this Barça v Benidorm clash in the Liga Sacyr Asobal. The Argentinian provided a strong foundation for Barça's defence, allowing the pace in attack to open up a lead. Dika Mem and Álex Fernández were the scorers, creating the biggest lead of the game with the score 11-5.

Barça then became less effective and Benidorm came back into it, with the stopper's final two saves keeping the score down to 14-10 at the end of first period. 

Benidorm keep plugging away

Benidorm turned up the heat, reducing the deficit to just three points, 16-13, but the Barça defence, along with Aleix Gómez' goals and Dika Mem's quality, again stretched the lead to 6. However, Benidorm dropped the pace and managed to claw back some of Barça's lead again.

This was how the rest of the game played out, with Barça unable to open up more than a 6-goal gap and Benidorm continually frustrating. Their efforts were in vain, however, as Barça ran out winners and drew closer in their quest for the league title. 

GAME STATS

Barça, 31
Benidorm, 26

Barça: Maciel (-), Langaro (3), Mem (4), Aleix Gómez (5), Petrus (1), Fabregas (4) and Álex Férnandez (4) - starters - Makuc (1), Richardson (1), Janc (1), Ben Ali (3), N'Guessan (-), Urdangarín (2), Ariño (2) and Ali Zein (-)
Benidorm: Rodríguez (-), José Lignieres (5), Nikčević (-), Nacho Valles (6), Pablo Vainstein (1), Parker (1) and Iván Rodríguez (5) - starters - Vaquera (-), Álvaro Ruiz (2), Calle (2), Grau (1), Barceló (-), Sempere (3) and Benito (-)

Partial scores: 2-1; 5-2; 10-5; 11-5; 13-8; 14-10 // 17-13; 21-15; 22-18; 24-19; 27-21; 31-26

Referees: Andreu Marín and Ignacio García