Barça 37-34 Bathco Torrelavega: Spanish Cup champions!

Third trophy this season for the Barça handball team, as they add the Spanish Cup to the Catalonia Super Cup and the Iberian Supercup. A 37-34 victory against Bathco Torrelavega in the final at the Pabellón de Tías in Lanzarote saw them win the big prize.

So that's another trophy as the team returns to action after the World Championships, and a second Spanish Cup out of two, making it 14 in a row when including the former Asobal Cup wins. Richardson top scored with 13 in a game the blaugranes led from the off, albeit Torrelavega fought to the very end.

Blaugranes take control

Torrelavega adopted a slow approach to play as the game began, with long attacks that favoured Jacobo Cuétara's side (3-3, min 5). Barça remained patient, tightened up in defence, before gradually imposing their speed on the game (7-5, min).

Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas' saves (8 in the first half) plus counter attacks did real damage to Torrelavega, as Barça began to extend their lead (10-6, min 15). The distance grew to seven (16-9, min 23), and despite conceding four without reply (16-13, min 27), they were in control at the break (19-14, min 30), including 8 goals from Melvyn Richardson.

Barça claim the cup

All the same, Torrelavega didn't give up and after scoring another four without reply, the scoreboard looked a bit closer (24-22, min 38). However, Barça stepped up the pace to quell their opponent's thrust (26-22, min 40), despite their continued efforts to remain in the game. Barça managed the game well (37-34, min 60) and despite some difficulties in the last minute and a half, with Wanne sent off and Cikusa hurting his ankle, the blaugranes claimed the Spanish Cup once again. Congratulations!

GAME STATS

BARÇA 37
BATHCO TORRELAVEGA 34

Barça: Pérez de Vargas, Aleix Gómez, Dika Mem, Richardson, N'Guessan, Frade, Aitor Ariño - starting seven - Nielsen (sg), Carlsbogard, Javi Rodríguez, Melvyn Richardson, Petar Cikusa, Bazán, Hampus Wanne, Blaz Janc, Domen Makuc, Thiagus Petrus. 

Bathco Torrelavega: Leonardo Vial, Guilherme Linhares, Carlos Gómez, Juan Fernández, Isidoro Martínez, Jokin Aja, Ángel Fernández - starting seven - Carlos Calle (sg), Javier Muñoz, Nicolai Colunga, Marko Jurkovic, Gangiani, Rubiño, Da Silva, Borja Lombilla.

Periods: 3-3, 7-5, 10-6, 12-7, 16-11, 19-14 (half-time), 23-17, 26-22, 28-24, 31-27, 34-30, 37-34 (full-time). 

Referees: José Manuel Iniesta, Alberto García.