Barça closed the group stage of the Champions League by storming the court at Kielce (31-32) and equaling the record for unbeaten games in Europe, 24, as achieved by the Blaugrana team led by Xavi Pascual in the 2019-20 and 2019-20 seasons. 2020-21. A sensational way to reach the quarterfinals (the round of 16 is saved as first in the group) being the best team on the continent, the only one that has not lost (13 wins and a draw).
Despite being the reissue of the last Champions League final, a duel between two of the greats in Europe, the last clash of the group stage was quite watered down, with the two teams already classified for the quarterfinals, Barça as first and Kielce as second.
At Barça, Luka Cindric was out due to gastroenteritis, so Carlos Ortega handed over the central baton to Makuc. The young Slovenian, recently renewed until 2026, was superb in directing, moving the team, assisting and scoring. His first goal (3-7) and a counter by Fàbregas made it 4-9, the highest Blaugrana gains of the first half in a rush accompanied by a great defense that left Kielce blank for 6 minutes.
However, the Polish team replied with a 4-0 (to make it 8-9) boosted by Wolff's saves and his defensive balance. Ortega asked for time and asked his players to calm down. They recovered their pulse and kept the distance of 2 goals, which Alex Dujshebaev reduced to one (11-12).
In the second half, Barça showed its two faces: vulnerability, conceding a 3-0 run (20-17), and reaction capacity with a splendid replica of a 0-4 (23-24 , at 45m).
From there, equality was maintained until the last minute. Barça kept up their game thanks to two proverbial saves by Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas to avoid the -1 loss to Tournat and Sicko with one minute to go. In the last attack, N'Guessan did not fail, the best blaugrana in the offensive facet scoring 31-32 with 39 seconds to go. Kielce had one last ball, but Alex Dujshebaev made passes. From losing 31-30 with 2m20s to go, to turning the game around and taking their 13th victory in 14 games.
Barça's next season in Europe will be the quarterfinals, from May 10 to 18, against the winner of the Danish round of 16 duel between Aalborg and Gudme.
Kielce: Wolff, Moryto (8, 4p), Daniel Dujshebaev (3), Karalek (2), Gebala, Karacic, Alex Dujshebaev (5); Wiaderny (1), Tournat (3), Nahi, Kounkoud (1), Sicko (5), Olejniczak, Sánchez-Migallon (1), Stenmalm (2), Kornecki (ps).
Barça: Nielsen, Aleix Gómez (1), Mem (2), Makuc (2), N'Guessan (6), Martí Soler (2), Frade (3); Petrus, Carlsbogard (2), Richardson (4), Fàbregas (3), Parera, Pol Valera, Janc (3), Wanne (4, 3p), Pérez de Vargas (ps).
Referees: Biro and Kiss (Hungary). They excluded Mem and Petrus, from Barça; Dani Dujshebaev from Kielce.
Partials: 2-2, 3-4, 3-7, 5-9, 9-11, 12-13 (rest); 15-16, 21-19, 23-23, 26-25, 29-29, 31-32.
Pista: Hala Legionow Kielce, 4,000 espectadores.
