FC Barcelona had a slow start, but eventually jumped to a clear 41:22 win against Handebol Taubaté, opening a clear path towards winning their group at the 2025 IHF Men’s Club World Championship.

GROUP C
Handebol Taubaté (BRA) vs FC Barcelona (ESP) 22:41 (11:20)

Taubaté were still looking for their first win at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship since 2022, but they will finish last in Group C in this edition, after conceding their second loss in a row and the ninth in a row in the competition against FC Barcelona.

The Brazilian side had previously lost against Zamalek, but enjoyed a lively start against the Spanish powerhouse, the most decorated team in the competition, taking a 2:0 lead and preventing their opponents to score for the first five minutes and seven seconds.

But then, FC Barcelona started accelerating and became better on both sides of the ball. Goalkeeper Viktor Gísli Hallgrimsson saved 10 shots in the first half for a 52% saving efficiency, while the fast breaks create through balls won in defence helped the Spanish side open a nine-goal lead at the break, 20:11.

There is no coincidence that the top Barcelona scorers were two wings – Ian Barrufet (13 goals) and 17-year-old Adrian Sola Basterra, who scored seven times, combining for almost half of the Spanish side’s goals in this match.

With a nine-goal lead at the break and the goal difference mattering in this competition, Barcelona continued to push through and had more and more chances on the fast break, with Halmgrinsson, the Player of the Match, ended his performance with 19 shots saved.

Barcelona will face Zamalek on Sunday in the last match of the group, needing a draw to win the group, while Handebol Taubaté finish last in this group, with two losses in two matches.

Player of the Match: Viktor Gísli Hallgrimsson (FC Barcelona)