Match Report: Barça Lassa beats Hockey Forte, 2-0, in European League opener

Match Report: Barça Lassa beats Hockey Forte, 2-0, in European League opener

The Catalans top the Italians with a pair of late goals in their first continental game of the season

Paso Álvarez and Matías Pascual scored back-to-back goals one minute apart in the final moments of regulation to lift FC Barcelona Lassa to a 2–0 victory over visiting Hockey Forte in their first European League game of the season on Sunday afternoon at the Palau Blaugrana.

The win extends Barça’s winning streak to eight games across all competitions, and comes on the heels of five straight triumphs to open the OK League and, prior to that, wins in the semifinals and the final of the Spanish Super Cup.

Barça dominated the first half and got excellent goalkeeping from captain Aitor Egurrola, but went into the intermission empty handed. Egurrola made another fine stop on a penalty shot after the break to keep the game scoreless, and later turned in several more big saves to give Barça a chance to break through late in the game and come away with the win.

Alvarez took advantage of a foul to put Barça up, 1–0, in the 48th and, with just a few seconds left to play, Pascual put the nail in the coffin.

The early minutes of the game were notable for their near total silence by the fans in attendance followed by a crescendo of chants calling for “liberty,” in reference to the current political situation in Catalonia.

Barça’s next two games are both OK League clashes at the Palau, with Citylift Girona coming into town Tuesday night for a 9.00pm start, followed by a visit from Liceo, next Saturday at 4.00pm.

Força Barça
Força Barça

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