Barça claimed a hard-fought 27-30 win away to Aarhus, who were battling to stay in the competition. On a special night marking Barça's 500th Champions League match, the Catalans completed a perfect group stage with maximum points and now look ahead to the Main Round.

Barça started strongly, with Sergey Hernández impressing in goal. The visitors took an early lead and moved three goals clear thanks to Smarason, Aleix Gómez and Luis Frade (4-7, min. 14). However, Aarhus responded by playing with seven attackers and gradually closed the gap.

Tight contest before the break

The game became more evenly matched, with both sides exchanging goals. Aleix Gómez led Barça's attack, but saves from the home goalkeepers and Barça turnovers kept Aarhus in contention. Dika Mem helped take a narrow lead into the break (14-15).

Barça pull clear late on

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Aarhus drawing level and keeping the score close. Barça struggled against the Danish defence and Petersen's saves but found attacking solutions through N'Guessan, Frade and Elderaa.

The contest remained tight into the final ten minutes, until key saves from Sergey and goals from Petar Cikusa helped Barça restore a three-goal cushion. The visitors held firm to seal a 27-30 victory and finish the EHF Champions League group stage with maximum points.

MATCH STATS

SAH AARHUS, 27
BARÇA, 30

SAH Aarhus: Petersen, Rasmussen, Kristánsson, Olsson, Laerke, Hansen, Cieslak, Brunn, Dahkgaard, Jensen, bonefeld, Dreyer, Soberg, Kildelund, Brandbyge.

Barça: Sergey, Fabregas, N'Guessan, Janc, Frade, Fernández, Aleix, P. Cikusa, Smarason, Elderaa, Barrufet, Mem, Carlsbogard, D. Cikusa, Sola, Hallgrímson.

Periods: 2-3, 5-6, 7-9, 9-11, 12-13, 14-15 // 16-16, 19-20,22-22, 24-25, 25-27, 27-30.

Referees: Tomas Barysas, Povilas Petrusis, Jutta Ehrmann.