Barça 30-31 Fraikin Granollers: League title put on ice

The league title will have to wait as the Barça handball team went down to a 31-30 defeat in the league against local rivals Fraikin Granollers in the Palau. Despite nine goals from Dika Mem and 13 saves from keeper Emil Neilsen, the visitors took a narrow victory to spoil the party for the blaugranes. 

Good start from the visitors 

Barça went 3-1 up early in the contest but the visitors fought back strongly to take a 6-3 lead after 8 minutes and force blaugrana coach Carlos Ortega into a time out. Granollers used the counterattack to stretch their advantage to 10-6 before Barça dragged themselves back into the contest. Dika Mem lead from the front with goals and Neilsen made several stops to allow the blaugranes to lead 18-16 at half time. 

Was not to be 

Barça started the second half well taking a four goal lead at 24-20. However, Granollers fought back to level things up at 29-29 with just five minutes remaining. In a frenetic final stretch with the Palau crowd willing them on, Barça searched for the win. Visiting keeper Rodríguez pulled off some important saves and the visitors were able to take the lead at 31-30 with two minutes and hold for the win. Barça are next in action on Saturday 12 April at 7pm CEST against Servigroup Hoteles Benidorm.

MATCH STATS 

Barça, 30
Fraikin Granollers, 31

Barça: Nielsen (-), Aleix (1), Mem (9), Richardson (3), N'Guessan (4), Frade (4), Wanne (1) -starting seven- Saric (-), Bazán (1), Pol Valera (1), Carlsbogard (1), Ariño (1), Janc (1), Petrus (-), Cikusa (3), Rodríguez (-).

Fraikin Granollers: Roberto Rodríguez (-), Romero (6), Rey (3), Domingo (2), Guijarro (3), Franco (3), García (7) -starting seven- Biel Valera (-), Freitas (-), Deumal (-), Abrahao (1), Esteban (-), Chaves (-), Panitti (-), Urdangarín (6).