Barça 32 - 20 Magdeburg: Win in first Champions League game at the Palau
The first Champions League game of the season at the Palau Blaugrana saw a 32-20 win for FC Barcelona against SC Magdeburg, making it two out of two in Group B for the blaugranes. Carlos Ortega's side dominated through Nielsen between the sticks and Dika Mem and Aleix Gómez in attack.
Keepers control the first half
Nielsen started the game on fire, first showing his individual brilliance by saving a penalty. However, Magdeburg found the net first, causing FC Barcelona to respond, a quick counter involving Blaz Janc culminating a comeback to give the home side the lead for the first time, 2-1.
Barça were foiling Magdeburg through a great defence and an outstanding Nielsen. An effective home attack gradually extended the lead, Dika Mem scoring most in the first half with four goals.
Pérez de Vargas then replaced Nielsen with just four minutes of the half left, and the high standard of goalkeeping remained as he saved and held two consecutive penalties. Both keepers played a key role in keeping Magdeburg's first half goal tally below 10 (14-8).
Tempo continues in the second half
The first five minutes after the break saw both Barça and Magdeburg net to move the scoreline onto 18-12. A combination of notably Dika Mem's accuracy and Nielsen again in goal saw the blaugranes gradually pull away, with the tempo continuing to extend the lead to 12 at one point.
Dika Mem and Aleix Gómez shone in attack in the second half, forming a dynamic duo to score 8 and 6 goals respectively. The final scoreline of 32-20 confirmed a second Champions League win of the season.
The win was watched by 1930 fans at the Palau Blaugrana, with one special fan present in the men's first team football player, João Félix, who watched on as Carlos Ortega's team proved victorious.
Next up for Barça, another game at the Palau Blaugrana, as they host Torrelavega on 23 September from 12.00pm CEST.
Game stats
Barça: 32
Magdeburg: 20
Barça: Nielsen (-), Wanne (1), N'Guessan (2), Frade (2), Petrus (-), D. Mem (8), Janc (2) - starting seven - Pol Valera (4), Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (-), Calrsbogard (1), Wanne (4), Aleix Gómez (6), Langaro (-), Richardson (3), Ian Barrufet (-), Petar Cikusa (-), Javi Rodríguez (-).
Magdeburg: Hernández Ferrer (-), Musche (3), Claar (2), Magnusson (2), Hornke (2), Jensen (1), Damgaard Nielsen (-), Bergendahl (1) - starting seven - Chrapkowski (1), Pettersson (X), Weber (3), Smarason (2), Lagergren (2), Mertens (-), O'Sullivan Portner (-).
Partial scores: 3-2, 6-4, 7-5, 11-6, 12-8, 14-8/ half-time / 19-12, 22-13, 23-15, 26-17, 29-19, 32-20.
Referees: Mads Hansen, Jesper Madsen and Antonio Goulao.