Logroño 24-30 Barça: Six clear at the top

FC Barcelona have seen off Logroño 24-30 on Sunday to consolidate their comfortable position atop the Liga ASOBAL, which is now six points after main rivals Bidasoa Irun were stunned by Puente Genil. Timothey N'Guessan and Javi Rodríguez lead the blaugrana scoring in a victory at a pavilion where the home side were unbeaten since last October.

The game was a s good as over by half-time, by when Barça had already amassed a 6-point lead and although the home side from La Rioja fought impressively to get back into contention, they were scuppered by a majestic Emil Nielsen in the visiting net.

But neither were Barça able to do much to build on their lead. The widest the gap ever got was +8, but Logroño kept battling and managed to get back within six with minutes to go. It was never enough to seriously worry Barça, but this was by no means a routine win against a very fine team indeed.

Next Thursday it's back to Europe with Montpellier at the Palau Blaugrana. That one starts at 8.45pm CET

MATCH STATS

Logroño, 24
Barça, 30

Logroño: Palasics (-), David Cadarso (6), Zaja (-), Uríos (2), Juan Palomino (2), Martí Soler (-), Álvaro Preciado (3), Ledo (-), Thiago Alves (1), Javier García (-), Rivero (3), Modi (1), Edu Cadarso (1), Xavi Tua (2) & El Korchi (3)
Barça: Pérez de Vargas (-), Janc (3), Dika Mem (3), Richardson (4), Rodríguez (5), N'Guessan (5), Wanne (3), Nielsen (), Thiagus Petrus (-), Carlsbogard (2), Luis Frade (2), Pol Valera (-) Langaro (-), Aleix Gómez (-), Ariño (3) & Petar Cikusa (-)

Periods: 1-3; 1-4; 2-8; 3-12; 8-15; 10-16 // 11-18; 14-19; 15-23; 20-25; 22-28; 24-30

Referees: Tania Rodríguez & Lorena García