Celje 31-37 Barça: Five Champions League wins out of five

That's five victories in the first five Champions League matchdays now for the Barça basketball team after they won 31-37 away to Celje. Carlos Ortega's side remained in control throughout the tie and snuffed out any danger when necessary.

Even start

Both sides came into the match with differing form, Barça winning every game so far in Group B and Celje yet to win, but this game began very evenly, and an intense start and good keeping by Zaponsek saw the home side take an early 7-6 lead.

Barça then scored four unanswered points with Dika Mem coming to the fore. The slow game wasn't proving as fluid as recently, but the pace of the game helped Carlos Ortega's side reach their opponent's goal more easily to enable them to go into the break 17-22 up.

Fifth win in the bag

Celje came out looking to reduce the difference in the second half but the game was increasingly turning in favour of the blaugranas, like in the first half.

Quick attacks and several key performances from the visitors, such as an immense Emil Nielsen in goal, and wide players firing forward when they had the chance, ultimately proved the difference to maintain the lead and take the blaugranas to their fifth Champions League win in five games.

Game stats

Celje: 31
Barça: 37

Celje: Rok Zaponsek (0), Stefan Zabic (1), Ante Ivankovic (4), Tadej Mazej (2), Tim Cokan (5), Mitja Janc (5) and Ziga Mlakar (6) - starting seven - Luka Peric (0), Grega Krecic (1), Mik Cirovic (-), Vukasin Antonijevic (2), Leon Gregoric (0), Uros Milicevic (4), Vid Kacicnik (1), Zan Korze Lesjak (-) and Gal Gabersek (0).

Barça: Emil Nielsen (1), Blaz Janc (5), Dika Mem (5), Thiagus Petrus (2), Luis Frade (2), Jonathan Carlsbogard (3) and Hampus Wanne (5) - starting seven - Pol Valera (0), Aitor Ariño (2), Timothy N'Guessan (2), Aleix Gómez (3), Melvyn Richardson (3), Petar Cikusa (3) and Javier Rodríguez (1). 

Partial scores: 3-3, 5-4, 7-8, 10-12, 12-16, 17-22 / break / 20-25, 21-27, 24-31, 27-33, 30-34, 31-37.

Referees: Igor Covalciuc and Alexei Covalciuc.