Kiel and Madrid aim for another final

As expected, THW Kiel and Atletico Madrid have finished their preliminary round groups at the IHF Super Globe in Doha, Qatar, with a 100% record.Both European favourites won all three matches against intercontinental opponents.

Madrid had few problems but THW Kiel were close to an opening failure against host Al-Sadd Doha, which had strengthened their team with seven players and coach Patrice Canayer of VELUX EHF Champions League participants Montpellier HB.

But defending Super Globe and VELUX EHF FINAL4 champions Kiel prevented a defeat thanks to a great catch-up chase in the second half after being below 9:16 at the break. 

In their remaining matches the Germans had easy-going jobs to beat Oceania representative University of Sydney 40:13 and Asian club champions Mudhar (Saudi-Arabia) 42:31 to top the table of group B.

Although they have had to play without their top goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik, who did not arrive at the airport for the departure to Doha at the airport and will now transfer to FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid won all their matches.

In their opener against Qatari club El-Jaish – improved with players from VELUX EHF Champions League participants Gorenje Velenje, RK Zagreb and Metalurg Skopje including former Zagreb coach Ivica Obrvan, Madrid had to struggle the hardest to win 28:23, later-on African club champions 

Zamalek from Egypt (29:25) and Pan American representative Metodista Sao Bernardo from Brazil (34:27) were not that high hurdles to jump.

Madrid now face host Al-Sadd in their semi-final on Friday (18:30 hrs local time), Kiel will follow against Zamalek (20.30 hrs local time). Surprisingly the European “helping hands” did not help El-Jaish to make it to the semi-finals.

In 2011 Kiel and Madrid were the finalists at the IHF Super Globe, in May 2012 the clubs met again at the VELUX EHF FINAL4 final - with Kiel winning both encounters.

“It is not easy to face a club like Al-Sadd, as they have a lot of experienced players from Montpellier,” Madrid coach Talant Duehsbajew said.

Meanwhile his Al-Sadd counterpart Canayer is full of confidence: “We are glad to be in the semi-final, but our way should not end there. We want to reach the final – and why not win the Super Globe?”

On the other hand Kiel coach Alfred Gislason is aware of their Egyptian opponent, who eliminated El-Jaish and stood strong against Madrid including an intermediate six goals advantage. “We came here to defend our title, but this semi-final is anything but easy,” he said.

Results of the preliminary round:

Group A: Zamalek – Metodista 33:24 (12:14), Madrid – El-Jaish 28:23 (11:13), Metodista – Madrid 27:34 (16:16), El-Jaish – Zamalek 24:27 (12:12), Madrid – Zamalek 29:25 (12:15), El-Jaish – Metodista 30:27 (15:13)

Group B:  Mudhar – Sydney 32:27 (15:12), Kiel – Al-Sadd 29:26 (9:16), Sydney – Kiel 13:40 (7:21), Al-Sadd – Mudhar 34:31 (15:17), Kiel – Mudhar 42:31 (20:14), Al-Sadd – Sydney 34:25 (17:10)

Live streaming and online

The event can be followed via the official IHF Super Globe website and live streaming is available from the event's broadcaster Al Kass.

Photographs: IHF