A good start to their title defence for Barça in the Club World Championship, as they quickly got into their stride against Brazilian side Pinheiros to end up winning fairly comfortably (33-44).

The game began with Carlos Ortega's side performing very resolutely in defence, stopping the Brazilian side's attacks early, and when they did manage to break through, there was Sergey Hernández. Dani Fernández did a lot of damage early on via counterattacks, scoring five of the first six blaugrana goals (1-6).

WhatsApp Image 2026-09-25 at 13.19.07

As the intensity understandably dropped, Pinheiros managed to come back to within three (14-17). However, Dika Mem raised the bar in attack to culminate a great first half and head off any comeback by the break (16-23).

Somewhat of a formality in the second half, with Hallgrímsson in goal, Petar Cikusa lively in attack and defence, with the lead stretching to 12 at one stage.

Òscar Grau and Adrián Sola came off the bench to score several goals, with the lead hovering constantly around 10. Ultimately the clock ran down to confirm the victory (33-44). Next up home side Zamalek (27/09) before Moroccan outfit Montada (29/09), with only the team topping the group going through to the final.

Game stats

Pinheiros 33
Barça 44

Pinheiros: Gonzalo Guerra (0), Marco Fiuza (1), Fabio Marques (1), Gabriel Reis (6), Emerson Santos (1), Lucas Duarte (1), Philipp Seifert (5) - starting seven - Marcos Oliveira (5), Pedro Pecly (0), Gabriel Griggio (2), Joao Lindoso (3), Caue Baptista (0), Ronald Matheus Lima De Sousa (6), Candido (0), Diogo Borja (2), William Santos (0).

Barça: Sergey Hernández (0), Sola (3), Mem (11), Smárason (2), N'Guessan (0), Fàbregas (5), Dani Fernández (5) - starting seven - Hallgrímsson, Carlsbogard (0), D. Cikusa (0), Aleix (1), Grau (8), Elderaa (3), San Felipe (0), Barrufet (4), P. Cikusa (2).

Partials: 1-3, 4-8, 5-12, 11-15, 14-19, 16-23 / descanso / 18-27, 22-30, 23-36, 27-40, 30-43, 33-44.

Referees: Ivan Pavicevic, Milos Raznatovic.

Força Barça