Barça 8–2 Rivas: Unstoppable form

A resounding 8-2 win for the Barça roller hockey team means that's now 41 OK Liga games in a row without defeat. João Rodrigues was the star of the show, which included celebration of the Under-15s European title and Jan Curtiellas' debut as La Masia shines once again.

Away side score first

Newly promoted Rivas started the game well, even scoring the first goal after 10 minutes, Sergio Martín seizing on a rebound to fire past Carles Grau. The joy was short-lived, however, as Sergi Llorca tied the game just thirty seconds later. Barça made the most of the moment, with João Rodrigues recovering and scoring to make it 2-1.

The pressure on the away side was intense - Francisco Fernández and Gerard Escolà both seeing blue - with Ignacio Alabart scoring from one of the free hits for 3-1 (min. 11). Barroso then finished a great team move seven minutes later after Cañadillas scored for the side from Madrid and the score at half-time was 4-2 to the Catalans.

João Rodrigues sets the tone

The Portuguese player led the way for Barça in the second half. Two minutes after the restart, Alabart fed Rodrigues with a great cross field assist for a 5-2 lead. He got his hat-trick 10 minutes later with a powerful shot from outside the area. Marc Grau also got in on the scoring action after an other superb assist from Alabart 12 minutes into the second half.

Jan Curtiellas then came on for his debut after coming through the youth categories and was delighted to play in the Palau “with the big boys”. There was still time for Rodrigues to make it 8-2 for the blaugranes to conclude a big win against the side from Madrid.

Match stats

Barça, 8.
Adiss Hockey Rivas, 2.

Barça: Carles Grau, Ignacio Alabart, Xavi Barroso, Sergi Llorca, João Rodrigues - starting five - Jan Curtiellas, Sergi Panadero, Marc Grau, Eloi Cervera.

Adiss Hockey Rivas: Marc Castañer, Alex Joseph, Sergio Martín, Francisco Fernández, Miguel Cañadillas - starting five - Gerard Escola, Sergi García, Bernat Yeste, Adrian Pos.

Goals: 0-1, Sergio Martín (min. 5); 1-1, Sergi Llorca (min. 6); 2-1, João Rodrigues (min. 8); 3-1, Ignacio Alabart (min. 11); 3-2, Miguel Cañadillas (min. 16); 4-2, Barroso (min. 18); 5-2, João Rodrigues (min. 27); 6-2, João Rodrigues (min. 35); 7-2, Marc Grau (min. 37); 8-2, João Rodrigues (min. 45).

Referees: Erik Rivas and Jordi Reverter.