Barça 46-18 Rebi Balonmano Cuenca: Barça put on a show at the Palau

Third game of the season and a resounding Liga Plenitude matchday two win for Barça by 46-18 against Rebi Balonmano Cuenca at the Palau Blaugrana, a strong defence providing the platform for this second league victory.

Blaugranes begin strongly

Carlos Ortega's men started strongly and a robust defence helped them go 6-2 up within 7 minutes. The blaugranes were making the most of counterattacks plus Dika Mem's attacking prowess.

The pace didn't drop despite the lead, and the score was 16-6 by the 20th minute, Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas, quick transitions and great passes proving decisive in building the advantage. Janc and Barrufet scored 6 and 5 goals respectively as the lead was extended to 17 points by half-time (28-11).

More of the same

Aitor Ariño made his comeback after nine months out since a knee operation after the restart, and the blaugranes continued to pepper their opponents' goal. Barça captain, Dika Mem, scored four goals and provided two assists, and Cuenca simply couldn't find a way past the packed Barça defence and Gonzalo in goal. 40-16 with 10 minutes to go.

The game already in the bag, young talent Petar Cisuka again showed his great potential, ultimately scoring five goals in the game. Barça kept the accelerator down and closed out the game 46-18.

This victory makes it two wins in a week after defeating Montpellier in the first Champions League game.

Game stats

Barça: 46
Cuenca: 18

Barça: Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (-), Dika Mem (7), Jaime Gallego (3), Blaz Janc (6), Tim N’guessan (1), Thiagus Petrus (-), Ian Barrufet (6), Pol Valera (3), Jonathan Carlsbogard (1), Emil Nielsen (-), Aitor Ariño (-), Aleix Gómez (4), Melvyn Richardson (7), Luís Frade (1), Petar Cikusa (5), Javi Rodríguez (2)

Rebi Balonmano Cuenca: Sergi Mach (1), Pablo Simonet (1), Nacho Pizarro (1), Alex Pozzer (-), Fede Pizarro (2), Hackbarth (1), Teixeira (2), Dani Neves (3), Álvaro Martín (-), Rubén Río (1), Miguel Espina (-), David Mach (-), Juanjo Fernández (1), Diego Vera (3), Sergio López (2), David Notario (-).

Partial scores: 6-2, 9-4, 17-6, 22-8 28-11 / halftime / 34-13, 38-16, 41-17, 46-18

Referees: Alejandro Hoz Fernández and Axel Riloba Pereda