A win gained thanks to hard work, team spirit and application as FC Barcelona's handball team dispatched Szeged 31-28 at the Palau Blaugrana to remain on the heels of Group B leaders Magdeburg in this season's Champions League. Ludovic Fàbregas and Ian Barrufet with six goals each were the top scorers in a game in which Dika Mem, Blaz Janc and Emil Nielsen also played an important role. 

Small margins 

In a tightly contested match between Barça and Szeged, both teams exchanged strikes early on, keeping the score close. Barça maintained a slight advantage that never extended beyond a single goal. Dani Fernández challenged Szeged’s defence, while the Hungarian side responded effectively in attack. A standout moment came in the 19th minute when Ludovic Fàbregas, assisted by Aleix Gómez, gave Barça a two-goal lead (10-8), the largest margin of the half before the first half ended with a narrow 14-13 lead for Barça.

Neilsen's saves

In the second half, FC Barcelona came out determined to break Szeged’s slow tempo. Moving the ball rapidly, Barça quickly extended their lead to 19-15 in the 34th minute, supported by key saves from keeper Emil Nielsen. 

As the match entered its final phase (24-22 in the 49th minute), Szeged intensified their efforts closing the score to 25-24. In the most critical moments, Barça’s key players, Blaz Janc, Ludovic Fàbregas, and Dika Mem, stepped up, securing a 28–25 lead with five minutes remaining. Szeged continued to battle, but Barça maintained control and clinched a hard-fought victory. The win marked Barça’s third in the European competition this season, keeping them close behind group leaders Magdeburg. The team now heads into the ASOBAL derby against Granollers on Sunday, October 12 with momentum on their side.

MATCH STATS

Barça, 31
Szeged, 28

Barça: Hallgrímsson (-), Aleix (2), D. Mem (4), L. Fàbregas (6), Frade (-), N'Guessan (4) and Fernández (5) -starting seven- Nielsen (-), Elderaa (-), Barrufet (6), Janc (4), Carlsbogard (-), Djordje Cikusa (-) and Petar Cikusa (-)
Szeged: Thulin (-), Sostaric (8), Garciandia (2), Bánhidi (6), Gottfridsson (3), Mackovsek (3) and Frimmel (4) -starting seven- Mikler (-), Toto (-), Bodó (2), Szilágyi (-) and Kalarash (-)

 

Força Barça