Barça 35-25 Pick Szeged: Through as group winners

A win at the Palau Blaugrana is a great way to complete the group stage, Barça defeating Pick Szeged 35-25, thereby confirming first place in Champions League group B and a quarterfinal return leg at home. The comfortable victory means the Catalans remain unbeaten with 12 wins and one draw.

In control

Barça took the lead and control of the game from the off, gradually extending their advantage by being effective in front of goal and with Pérez de Vargas putting on a show (9-4, min 10). Good defence and a high paced encounter only helped Barça who were 14-6 up after 20 minutes. Transitions were doing the damage and Pol Valera scored his first goal in the Champions League. Blaz Janc scored five and Dika Mem another three to complete a first half lead of 20-10.

First place assured

The lead remained virtually the same for ten minutes of the second half, even enabling Carlos Ortega to give some game time to young players like Martí Soler. The score was 33-23 with five minutes to go and Barça were very comfortable, demonstrating why they led the group. Final score 35-25 and a great way to end the group stage.

Game stats:

Barça, 35
Pick Szeged, 25

Barça: Gonzalo (-), Cindric (1), N'Guessan (2), Mem (5), Wanne (1), Janc (5) and Fàbregas (5) – starting seven - Pol Valera (2), Carlsbogard (3), Aleix Gomez (2), Petrus (-), Marti Soler (4), Makuk (3), Richardson (2), Nielsen (-).

Pick Szeged: Radivojevic (2), Stepancic (-), Mackovsek (2), Frimmel (2), Garciandia Alustiza (3), Bombac (-), Mikler (-) – starting seven - Tonnessen (-), Martins (2), Szita (2), Sostaric (3), Rosta (5), Christoffersen Blonz (4).

Scored per 5 minute intervals: 5-3, 8-4, 11-5, 14-6, 17-9, 20-10 (halftime), 22-12, 25-15, 28-18, 31-19, 33-23, 35-25 (fulltime)

Referees: Vaclav Horacek, Jiri Novotny, Cesar Castillo.