Benidorm 23-37 Barça: Homework done, time to wait

What better way to recover from a defeat than with a convincing win? Barça did just that in Benidorm, beating the home side 23–37. And so they did their part in the title race—winning their match and now waiting to see if Granollers slip up against Huesca on Sunday.

Gérard makes debut

The match also marked the debut of goalkeeper Vincent Gérard, who made his first appearance in Barça colours. With the title within reach, the team could be crowned champions as early as Sunday—or on Wednesday in Valladolid—just ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal clash with Pick Szeged.

Fast forward

Barça came out focused from the start, taking control against a side fighting to stay in the top division. Frade and Wanne led the way early on, helping build a commanding 4–10 lead. By half-time, it was already 10–20.

With the result all but settled, Ortega spread out the minutes. Gérard came on after the break and made his first saves for the club. Despite heavy rotation, Barça kept up the tempo and saw out the match comfortably.

Closer to the title

In the end, eleven different players got on the scoresheet for Barça. With the win secured, all eyes now turn to Granollers—should they lose, Barça take the title. Otherwise, a win on Wednesday in Valladolid will do the job.

MATCH STATS

Benidorm: 23
Barça: 37

Benidorm: Witkowski (0), Vainstein (2), Oliver (0), Zhukov (2), Zarikos (0), Valles (3), Abdoulah (1), Alvado (0), Paz (0) Moscariello (1), De Angelis (1), Sempere (2), Hugo Vila (2), Durovic (1) & Bandeira (8).

Barça: Nielsen (0), Janc (3), Richardson (3), Makuc (0), N'Guessan (2), Frade (7), Wanne (6), Gérard (0), Carlsbogard (4), Ariño (1), Aleix (3), Petrus (0), Miguel Ángel Martín (0), Palomino (2), Cikusa (3) & Javi Rodríguez (3).

Periods: 2-4, 4-9, 5-13, 8-16, 9-19, 10-20 / HT / 12-24, 14-27, 17-29, 19-30, 22-33, 23-37.

Referees: Alejandro Hoz Fernández & Axel Riloba Pereda.