Barca is ASOBAL Winter champion!

Naturhouse La Rioja - FC Barcelona Lassa 28:39 (16:20)

FC Barcelona have bounced back following the recent defeat against Kielce in Europe with an important away win in the league against Naturhouse La Rioja, the team in second place in the Asobal League. Xavi Pascual's side were made to work hard, especially in the first half, but the 75th victory in a row for the team was never seriously in doubt and Barça will now top the table at the half-way point in the season.

Both sides came into the game with players missing, their respective efforts in recent league and European fixtures finally taking its toll. The top two in the league played out a tight opening period in which both goalkeepers, Kappelin and Gonzalo, excelled. Barça played with their usual fluidity but Naturhouse's solid defence prevented the blaugranes from getting away from their opponents on the scoreboard. After 25 minutes the visitors lead 16:13 and despite the exclusion of Entrerrios, Barça went in at the break 20:16 ahead. In the second half, the efforts of Aitor and Lazarov saw the blaugranes open up a lead of 26:20. From that moment on Barça had the upper hand, finally getting to grips with home side's defensive patterns. The visitors' controlled the game once Noddesbo made it 31:23 and in the run in, Pascual gave minutes to Dushjebaev and Aleix Gómez. The game ended in a 39:28 win for Barça, allowing them the honorific title of 'Winter Champions' this season in the Asobal League.