FC Barcelona handball begins Champions League defense

FC Barcelona's handball team begins its Champions League defense this Wednesday at the Palau, facing debutants Skanderborg Aarhus from Denmark. The squad, led by Carlos Ortega, enters the European competition following a highly successful previous season that included 60 victories.

The team faces the challenge of replacing key players Domen Makuc and Emil Nielsen. New signings Janus Smarason and Sergey Hernández are expected to debut. Hernández expressed the significant responsibility of playing for the club, noting the high standards set by the team's historical legends.

In domestic competition, Dicorpebal Logroño La Rioja begins its Liga Asobal campaign this Friday with a high-stakes match against FC Barcelona. The Riojan side, managed by Miguel Velasco, will field a full squad including new signings such as Tomoki Ishida, Luka Jevtic, and Gustavo Oliveira. The club also reported a nearly 20% increase in season ticket holders compared to the previous year.