FC Barcelona Lassa through to the quarter finals after win over Rhein-Neckar Löwen

Xavi Pascual’s side are through to the last eight thanks to heroics from keeper Pérez de Vargas as well as the efficiency of Lazarov, Jallouz and Sigurdsson

FC Barcelona Lassa defeated Rhein-Neckar Löwen (26-20) in the last match of the VELUX EHF Champions League group stages and thus sealed their place in the quarter-finals.
Barça started the match well largely thanks to the stops made by Pérez de Vargas, the passes from Sigurdsson and the accuracy in front of goal by Jallouz who scored five in the first half to give the Catalans an 11-10 lead going into the break.
The home side never fell behind in the first half and continued with the same rhythm in the second. Pérez de Vargas’ masterclass in goal continued in the second period, including a penalty save from Gensheimer’s effort.

The keeper’s display meant that Barça constantly had their opponents at arms’ length and the near 5,000 spectators who filled the Palau Blaugrana were treated to a comprehensive 26-20 win.

Match details

Barça Lassa: Pérez de Vargas, Tomás (2), Entrerríos (3), Sorhandio (1), Gurbindo, Sigurdsson (5) i Morros -starting seven- Noddesbo, Sarmiento (1), Syprzak, Jicha (2), Jallouz (6), Lazarov (6 -1p-).
Rhein Neckar: Ristovski, Sigurmannsson (1), Kneer (3), Baena (2), Larsen (1), Groetzki, Reinkind (4), -starting seven- Schmid (6 -1p-), Gensheimer (2 -1p-), Pekeler, Guardiola, Petersson (1), Gerdon, Ekdahl.
Score per five minutes: 2-0, 5-3, 7-5, 9-6, 9-9, 11-10 (descans), 15-12, 16-12, 20-13, 22-18, 23-18, 26-20.
Officials: Martin Gjeding, Mads Hansen.
Attendance: 4,814