Valongo Colquímica 3-5 Barça: Top of the group!

The Barça roller hockey team have won their second WSE Champions League group C game in Portugal away to Valongo, final score 3-5. It was a tough match, with the home side spurred on by many of their supporters. Pau Bargalló starred with three goals to help the team to top the group.

Great first half

Both teams started with a desire to befit a Champions League game. Carlitos converted a free hit to put Valongo ahead in the first minute. Barça hit straight back though through Pau Bargalló (1-1). The game remained fast-paced and the Catalans took the lead through Joao Rodrigues but only three minutes later, Miguel Moura levelled the game again (2-2, min 14). Pau Bargalló then scored a direct free hit to restore the lead at the break (2-3).

Bargalló hat-trick

Valongo tied the game after the restart, but Abreu scored a great long shot before Pau Bargalló completed his hat-trick (min. 32). The rest of the game saw a great rearguard action and an immense Sergio Fernández in the goal. Carlitos had a direct free hit to level the game but blazed it over, before a penalty by Helder Nunes in the last minute sealed the score of 3-5.

Next up, Sant Cugat in the Palau Blaugrana on Sunday 12 February.

GAME STATS

Valongo Colquímica, 3
Barça, 5

Valongo Colquímica: Xano Edo, Rafael Bessa, Facu Navarro, Nuno Santos and Diogo Abreu – starting five – Miguel Moura, Francisco Silva, Carlitos, Facundo Bridge and Teixeira.

Barça: Sergio Fernández, Pau Bargalló, Joao Rodrigues, Marc Grau and Helder Nunes – starting five – Joan Pascual, Ignacio Alabart, Sergi Panadero, Sergi Llorca and Carles Grau.

Goals: 1-0, Carlitos (min. 1); 1-1, Pau Bargalló (min. 3); 1-2, Joao Rodrigues (min. 11); 2-2, Miguel Moura (min. 14); 2-3, Pau Bargalló (min. 16); 3-3, Diogo Abreu (min. 32); 3-4, Pau Bargalló (min. 32); 3-5, Helder Nunes (min. 50).

Referees: Franco Ferrari and Massimiliano Carmazzi. Blue cards for Helder Nunes from Barça and Carlitos from Valongo. Fouls: 9-10.