First step taken, as FC Barcelona are through to the Club World Championship semifinals after a strong second group stage win 47-25 against Zamalek puts them into first place in group C. Dani Fernández scored 16 to be named MVP, with Nielsen, Fàbregas and Frade also prominent in the game.

Blaugranes set the pace

A good start saw Dika Mem and Dani Fernández scoring and Emili Nielsen saving to take Barça to 8-2. The Egyptian side's fans made a lot of noise to rouse their team, but Zamalek couldn't add to their two early goals.

Playing with real pace and eating up the minutes, Carlos Ortega's side extended the lead to 13-4 (min 15) through great team play. Beegad Ragab tried to make inroads into the lead, but Dani Fernández helped extend it to +10, while Nielsen made the stops to see the blaugranes 24-12 up at halftime.

No let up

FC Barcelona scored every time their opponents did, testament to their concentration throughout the game, and as such, the scoreboard never decanted in Zamalek's favour and they were constantly trailing. Frade was also prominent in attack and the lead was 30-15 after 35 minutes. More than enough of a gap to see the game out, especially as Dani Fernández and Nielsen continued to score and save respectively, able assisted by Fàbregas among others.

Ultimately, a resounding 47-25 victory against Zamalek and into the World Club Cup semifinals, with the next match on 30 September.

GAME STATS

Barça 47
Zamalek 25

Barça: Nielsen (-), Aleix (4), D. Mem (5), L. Fàbregas (8), N'Guessan (1), Frade (6) and Fernández (16) - starting seven - Janc (2), Petar Cikusa (1), Djordje Cikusa (-), Carlsbogard (2), Makuc (2), Elderaa (-)
Zamalek: Youssef Salama (-), Ahmed Morsy (-), Ahmed Elnakkady (2), Hisham Doieb (1), Mahmud (7), Hafez (-) and Akram Yousri (2) - starting seven - Abdelsalam (), Beegad Ragab (5), Elbattawi (1), Ahmed Elahmar (1), Ziad Hashad (2), Omar Abdelhady (-), Mohamed Elnakkady (-)

Partial scores: 3-2; 8-3; 17-7; 21-11; 24-12 // 30-15; 33-18; 35-19; 39-22; 41-24; 47-25

Referees: Jorum Lars and Kleven Havard

Força Barça