Barça Handball: Stealing the Show in ASOBAL League!
Heck of a Game, Isn’t It? So, what’s the deal? Barça handball has decided to flex its muscles and strut its stuff, leaving everyone trailing in its wake as it extends its lead in the ASOBAL League. You know it’s serious when your team is more dominant than your mother-in-law’s opinions at dinner. After winning a match they postponed to swan around at the Club World Cup in Cairo (a trip that turned out to be more of a sightseeing venture than a conquest), they bested Ademar Leon with a scoreline that makes a pizza party look like a snooze fest: 42-25!
What Is This? A Love Story?
Yes, we get that handball isn’t going to inspire a Nicholas Sparks love story anytime soon. But hearing that Carlos Ortega has guided his squad to an impressive eighth victory feels like a fairy tale where the prince is just a bit more jacked and loves throwing balls around. With a full 16 points, they’re four points ahead of Bathco Torrelavega, who are presumably still looking for their sea legs.
Now, let’s talk about how Ortega congratulated himself. It’s like he has a private cheerleading squad. This week, the team truly demonstrated its depth. They have more resources than a high school kid’s mind at prom—like a magician pulling rabbits out of hats, these players seemed to counter Ademar’s every move. With a dangerous lead of 3-0 quicker than you can say “goalkeeper,” thanks to the dynamic duo of Aleix Gómez and Antonio Bazán, they might as well have been playing chess with watermelons!
As Ademar Walks the Tightrope…
And oh, how Ademar tried. Oscar Lindqvist threw barbs at Barça and gave it his all. They managed to stay neck-and-neck until the score hit 13-12 in the 21st minute. At that moment, I could see Ortega throwing open the rotation door and letting the fresh legs in! Enter Javi Rodriguez, fresh off a call-up for the European qualifiers like a knight in shining armor—if shining armor were actually sweat-absorbing gym gear!
His unstoppable vibe gave everyone a run for their money. In fact, he was so on fire at halftime, earning four goals without a single mistake that I half expected him to leave the arena with a trophy made of pure gold and the adoration of the masses pinned on his chest.
Defenders, Assemble!
Meanwhile, those mighty defenders—Tim N’Guessan and Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas—would have made any superhero duo proud. N’Guessan was like a train on a mission, and Pérez de Vargas? Well, let’s just say my grandma could hand him a jar of pickles to open, and he would succeed every time. He ended the first half with nine saves. By the end of the game, it was more like twenty, making him a wall tougher to breach than a discount door at a hardware store.
By halftime, when the score settled at 20-13, you could practically hear Ademar’s coach Dani Gordo contemplating what he did wrong in life. The momentum shift looked like it was more scripted than a rom-com where everything inevitably goes wrong just before it gets right.
And Now, On To More Impressive Challenges!
As Barça readied itself for upcoming matches, one could almost hear them thinking, “These points aren’t going to hoard themselves.” They faced off against HBC Nantes next, a team that has already managed to snag a point from them. Talk about a plot twist! Will Barça continue their hunting spree, or will Nantes surprise us like a low-budget horror film? Tune in and find out!
But wait, what’s this? Is Dika Mem sidelined after a shoulder nudge? Rest assured, folks, he’s waiting to see if it’s a trip to the hospital or just a hard call on the field.
Technical Sheet
Final Score: 42 – Barça: Gonzalo (1) (Nielsen), Bazán (3), Dika Mem (3), Wanne (3), N’Guessan (6), Aleix Gómez (4, 2p), Richardson (4, 2p) -initial team-; Janc (5), Petrus, Manuel Ortega (2), Palomino (3), Frade (2), Petar Cikusa (2), Javi Rodríguez (4) and Makuc.
25 – Ademar León: A. Pérez (Barkhordari), Lindqvist (6), Wasiak (1), Sanz (3), Adrián Fernández, Duarte (1), A. Martín (3) -equipo inicial-; Miñambres. C. Álvarez (1), R. Pérez Arce (4, 2p), Rozada (1), Sánchez (1), Hussein (3), Álvaro Fernández y Eduardo Fernández (1).
Referees: Andreu Marín Lorente and Miguel Martín Soria.
Exclusions: Janc (Barça), Lindqvist y Hussein (Ademar).
Marker: 4-3, 8-6, 10-9, 13-11, 17-13, 20-13 (rest); 22-17, 28-19, 30-21, 34-23, 38-23 and 42-25 (final).
Incidents: Match of the 3rd day of the ASOBAL League, played at the Palau in front of about 600 spectators, who surely regretted not bringing popcorn!
The Barça handball team has solidified its position at the top of the ASOBAL League with a commanding four-point lead following a decisive victory in a previously postponed match. This match was rescheduled due to their participation in the Club World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, where they faced a tough semifinal battle against the famed Hungarian team, Veszprem, who ultimately clinched the championship title.
Following a short break for national team commitments, the squad led by Carlos Ortega celebrated their eighth championship victory, triumphing over Ademar Leon with a resounding score of 42-25. This impressive win positions Barça at the top of the standings with a flawless 16 points, four points clear of the nearest rivals, Bathco Torrelavega, who have accumulated 12 points. After catching up on their schedule, Barça will soon kick off the 9th matchday of the ASOBAL League on Thursday, as they prepare to host Servigroup Hoteles Benidorm at the Palau.
During the match against Ademar, Ortega expressed his appreciation for the depth of talent and varied resources within his team. The squad showcased their tactical adaptability and strength, progressively wearing down the determined resistance posed by Ademar throughout the contest.
Ademar Leon entered the match with fresh energy and confidence but faced an early challenge as Barça jumped to a quick 3-0 lead. This initial surge was powered by two goals from Aleix Gómez, complemented by another from Antonio Bazán, who capitalized on his starting position with efficient performance at the center of defense, displaying good synergy with Thiago Peter and dynamic pivot play.
With Oscar Lindqvist emerging as a pivotal force, Ademar maintained pressure on Barça for an extended period. Despite not being able to equalize, they kept the game competitive, notably when Rodrigo Pérez Arce brought the score to a tight 13-12 in the 21st minute.
Ortega strategically rotated players, resulting in an impactful contribution from Javi Rodriguez. Recently summoned by Jordi Ribera for the opening matches of the European 2026 qualifiers, this young pivot demonstrated his agility and scoring ability, finishing the first half as the top scorer with four unmissed goals.
Both Javi Rodriguez and Tim N’Guessan formed an effective defensive duo that significantly contributed to the team’s performance. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas emerged as a standout player in the first half, racking up nine saves with a commendable 41% success rate. By the end of the match, his numbers were even more impressive, totaling 20 saves and an efficiency of 44%.
With superior coordination and contributions across all lines, Barça executed a dominant 7-1 run, taking a commanding seven-goal lead by halftime (20-13). This scoreline was a testament to Barça’s offensive firepower, especially considering Ademar’s strong showing up to that point.
Barça’s lightning-quick transitions continuously punished any mistakes made by their opponents, showcasing their trademark intensity and tactical depth. N’Guessan played a pivotal role, rallying his teammates both offensively and defensively. Coach Dani Gordo of Ademar was prompted to call a timeout as Barça extended their lead to an impressive 10 goals, scoring 29-19 just minutes into the second half after a goal from Luis Frade.
As the match progressed toward its conclusion, Barça maintained control over both the game and the scoreboard, strategically managing the time and focusing on the preparation for future competitive fixtures. The final score of 42-25 not only underscored their dominance in this match but also allowed Ortega to distribute playing time evenly, ensuring all players remain mentally and physically prepared for the more challenging matches on the horizon, including their upcoming clash in the Champions league against HBC Nantes, the only team to have previously taken a point from Barça in their meeting during the Europa (
Rate. His presence in the goal was like a fortress, pounding back shots from every angle and frustrating Ademar’s attackers. By the end of the match, he had substantially increased his tally, proving to be an obstacle sturdier than any wall.
As the match progressed, it became evident that Barça wasn’t just playing to win; they were also showcasing their depth and versatility. With a solid foundation built on discipline and teamwork, Ortega’s troops were able to exploit every opportunity Ademar allowed, pivoting effortlessly in both offense and defense.
While the result certainly reflected Barça’s dominance, it wasn’t without its moments of drama. Ademar’s Lindqvist and Pérez Arce fought valiantly, each making efforts that had the crowd holding its breath at times. Still, every time they seemed to mount a challenge, Barça responded with swift retorts that left the Ademar players scrambling.
The decisive halftime score of 20-13 painted a clear picture of Barça’s strategy paying off; Ortega’s tactical choices bore fruit and had the fans cheering loud enough to rival a rock concert. The second half continued in a similar vein, with Barça stretching their lead and converting opportunities with a confidence that suggested they were on a mission.
Following the blowout victory, Ortega took the podium with the mantra of ”we played as a team,” emphasizing that this was not just about individual flair but rather a collective effort to secure the top spot in the league. The players seemed to resonate with this sentiment, echoing Ortega’s appreciation for every person’s contribution on the court—each bud of talent cultivated into a blooming performance.
With the pressure of the next match against HBC Nantes looming on the horizon, Ortega’s focus remained steadfast on keeping the momentum and mastering those tactics that worked against Ademar. Would they maintain their performance? Would they hinder Nantes’ aspirations? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain: this Barça team has the potential to make waves in the ASOBAL competition, and their thrilling style of play is just what fans had come to adore.
As fans anticipate the next chapter, with players like Dika Mem potentially sidelined, every angle of the game is ripe for strategic moves. The show has just begun, and there is more handball action to come.
