Fraikin Granollers 22-37 Barça: Triumphant return

The Asobal League is back and the Barça handball team returned to action after the break for the holidays and the recent World Championships with yet another victory. Carlos Ortega's team were last in action back on 18 December when they lifted the Iberian Super Cup thanks to a win over Porto and the resumption saw another victory, 37-22 away at second placed Fraikin Granollers. 

Former Granollers man Pol Valera made his Barça debut with the team missing Ariño, Langaro and Petrus. Cindric and Blaz scored five goals each to top score in the blaugranes' 16th win in 16 matches. 

Quick pace favours Barça 

In the Palau Esports, against a Granollers side who had only lost twice coming into the game, Barça started brightly and moved into a 6-5 lead after 9 minutes. Six unanswered goals saw the visitors extend their lead to 16-8 after 27 minutes. 

The eight goal lead remained until half time and in the second the lead reached 10 at 25-15. The game remained under Barça control in the second half and the eventual 37-22 win is the 16th in 16 matches in the league for the blaugranes. 

MATCH STATS 

Fraikin Granollers, 22

Barça, 37

Granollers: Rangel Da Rosa, Jan Gurri, Antonio García, Oriol Rey, Esteban Salinas, Adrià Martínez, Faruk -starting seven-, Marc Guàrdia (gk), Sergi Franco, Reguart, Guilherme Torriani, Ferran Castillo, Joan Amigó, David Roca, Víctor Romero, Víctor De Sande.

Barça: Nielsen, Frade, Wanne, Carlsbogard, Aleix Gómez, Ludovic Fàbregas, Dika Mem -starting seven- Pérez de Vargas (gk), Cindric, Richardson, Martí Soler, Makuc, Blaz Janc, Pol Valera, Artur Parera.