Barça finished the group stages of the Champions League in third place, behind Kiel and Rhein Neckar Löwen and are waiting to see who they’ll play in the last 16. The Barça team showed they are in good form and achieved a hard-fought win where prestige was more important than the 2 points.

They were facing a Celje team that were playing for all or nothing. An intense Celje outfit, which became desperate playing against a very good Barça Borges side, and also picking up the news from France, where Chambery beat Rhein Neckar Löwen, two teams that have deprived them of their presence in the international showpiece.

Rapid counter-attacks

Despite the efforts of their fine goalkeeper Alilovic and goals from the young Gasper Marguc, the visitors began setting the pace thanks to a tight defense and rapid counter-attacks. Barça maintained a 1 or 2 goal lead throughout the first half.

Two great saves by Saric and two consecutive goals from Sorhaindo gave Barça their maximum advantage (8-12). The Celje manager, Miro Pozun, called a time-out, as he saw the match slipping away from them, and the home team’s reaction (at the hands of an inspired Marguc) saw the game evenly matched at the break (15-16). Juanín, Entrerríos and Rocas had been decisive in the first half.

Hard-Fought second half

There was nothing between the teams in the second half, with the battling Celje trying to stop Barça Borges increasing their lead. Alilovic again appeared on the scene and the home side took the lead in the 46th minute (23-22). Xavi Pascual slowed down the home side’s impetus with a time out and Barça re-found a solid 6-0 defense, with the 3 towering players Sorhaindo, Noddesbö and Oneto, at the forefront.

Then, a partial 0-4, with a sensational Juanín, and Saric doing his usual share, once again put Barça Borges ahead, a lead they never gave up. A last flash of brilliance from Marguc (he finished with 10 goals) returned the emotion to the game (27-28), but two goals from Rutenka, against his former team, killed the game off at 27-30.