Barcelona victorious after thriller in Flensburg
Barcelona victorious after thriller in Flensburg
FC Barcelona got their revenge for the 41:39 defeat to SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the semi-final in the VELUX EHF FINAL4 last season, winning 37:33 away against the North German team in Group B of this season's VELUX EHF Champions League.
GROUP B
SG Flensburg Handewitt (GER) vs FC Barcelona (ESP) 33:37 (16:16)
When the two teams met in the semi-final at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne on the 31. May, Flensburg came out on top 41:39 after two extra periods and penalty shoot-out.
A repeat of extra time and a penalty shoot-out was out of the question in the Flens Arena this time around, however, this match had everything you could ask for when it comes to great handball: drama, intensity, entertainment value and excitement.
From the very off Flensburg's defence ran into trouble against Barcelona's smooth and powerful attacking play, putting the visitors in a two goal lead on several occasions during the first half.
However, a brilliant performance by Mattias Andersson in the Flensburg goal and smart play from centre back Thomas Mogensen, right back Holger Glandorf and wingers Lasse Svan Hansen and Anders Eggert in the attack enabled the hosts to keep up with their opponents at 16:16 on the half time mark.
After the break, the game opened up, and the attacking players found themselves in more space, which put huge pressure on both goalkeepers, Danijel Saric of Barcelona and Mattias Andersson of the hosts.
Both keepers came up with the goods and pulled of great saves, but even their best efforts could not prevent an overall high scoring second half.
This did not reduce the quality of the game nor the entertainment value, however, Barcelona's dominance in the last 15 minutes put the encounter beyond doubt, as they proved to be not only the better team, but also the team with the better bench.
Not even Holger Glandorf, who scored impressive 11 goals, could keep Flensburg in the match, and after several four and five goal leads within the last quarter of an hour, Barcelona leave Germany with a deserved 37:33 win.
