Winning start to the Liga for Barça with this 24-37 victory over Eón Alicante at the Pabellón Pitiu Rochel. Dani Fernández scored eight from eight while Ian Barrufet scored five, and keepers Emil Nielsen and Viktor Hallgrimsson weighed in with six and eight saves respectively.

Dani Fernández effective

The early stages saw Dani Fernández shine, scoring six of the first eight blaugrana goals. At the other end Emil Nielsen was proving tough to beat  and his side opened up a clear gap when Aleix Gómez made it 9-13. The lead remained at the break (14-18) after a very efficient half for Barça at both ends of the court.

Onwards to victory

Carlos Ortega's side didn't take long to double their lead after the break (15-23, min 37). The goals were now being shared around, and the blaugranes were solid in defence, backed up Icelandic keeper Hallgrimsson, who carried on the good work by Nielsen with eight saves. Final score 24-37.

Next up, Barça welcome current Champions league champions Magdeburg to the Palau Blaugrana on 18 September (8.45pm CEST) in a mouthwatering match up.

GAME STATS

Eón Alicante 24
Barça 37

Eón Alicante: Flavio Noah Wick (0), Montoya (3), Ander Torrico Egaña (6), Robledo (2), Xabier Barreto Usabarrena (2), James Lewis Parker (3), Aaron Gutierrez Barquero (3) - starting seven - Domenech (0), Méndez (0), Oliver (0), Fabio Patricio Lopes Teixeira (2), Eduardo Escobedo Romero (0), Urruzola (0), Javier Rodríguez Moya (1), Yanis Ramírez Pérez (0) and Dimitrievski (0). 

Barça: Nielsen (0), Carlsbogard (2), N'Guessan (1), Aleix Gómez (3), Grau (0), Makuc (1), Fàbregas (2) - starting seven - Hallgrimsson (0), Bazán (1), Dani Fernández (8), Djordje Cikusa (3), Blaz Janc (3), Adrian Sola (3), Elderaa (3), Barrufet (5) and Petar Cikusa (2).

Periods: 2-4; 6-7; 8-10; 10-14; 12-17; 14-18 // 15-22; 16-25; 18-29; 20-32; 23-35; 24-37.

Referees: Ernesto Ruiz Vergara and Alberto Macías de Paz.

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