Barcelona hit the Berlin Wall

I'm always interested in the psychology of matches. You can look at statistics, strategies, tactics and a whole host of other things, but at the end of the day, on an equal footing, it is the team which stands up that will be the team that wins.

The questions facing both these teams on Sunday was; could the Barcelona team still stand up, after an Olympic Games and a World championship, when so many of their players were involved in both.

The question for Berlin was would their players stand up? It wasn't that long ago that Berlin and Bob Hanning in particular stood on front of the handball media and said things need to change.

The change in question was that of several players. Laen had already decide to leave for Denmark, but the contracts of Pevnov, Ninčević, Bult, and Lund would not be renewed and Sellin was already moving to a new club at the end of the season.

Imagine what training was like at Berlin during the World Championships. Most of these players were left behind to train and I doubt there was much brotherly love at this time around the club.

Players can act in many ways. They can sulk and say, so you think we are not good enough for your club or they can fight to prove that the club is wrong.

There can also be a split among teammates some feeling wronged and feeling there is no reason to work or fight for the other guys.

I always felt the timing of Berlin's news was strange and as I said, I was interested in the psychology of this moment.

Berlin must be wondering after the performance of their team, whether or not they have made absolutely the correct decision.

Bult looked out of his depth, but Pevnov, Ninčević and Sellin were like men possessed, these three players, who will not be at Berlin next season, accounted for over half the goals for the team on the day.

If ever there was a way to show a club they are making a mistake, then this was the way.

Barcelona, for their side looked jaded, and even jaded, they were a match for Berlin. They literally and figuratively hit the wall in Berlin and their legs looked gone by the end of the game.

Dani, normally a dynamo, was sadly running on empty and the usual style and panache of Barcelona was missing as they dug into their reserve fuel tank once too often.

If they had won this game, first place was a definite and a guaranteed rest for some players, but sadly they won't get a chance now.

A big mention has to go to Igropulo, who was walking on his heels by the end of the game to stop his calf muscles from cramping up.

Also to Iker Romero, who looks like he can't run, can't shoot, wears his shorts too big and went through a long socks phase a year ago.

However, he showed that so much of this great game is in the head; he made Pevnov look world class and his assists to both wings and general astute play brought Berlin back into the game. He may not have any speed but this awareness of space and other players is still there in abundance.

The goalkeepers also were incredible in the game to whit Šarić in the first half and Silvio in the 2nd. And who would have believed that Sterbik would end up with no saves.

But forget about all the psychology mumbo jumbo, this was Helter Skelter handball at its best.

A damn good game with plenty to shout about which I like. It was a see-saw game with neither team quite grabbing it by the scruff of the neck and it made for a great atmosphere in the O2 World.

13,000 fans saw Berlin claim their first ever victory in this arena and both teams gave everything they had to make sure that Match of the Week in the VELUX EHF Champions League will go down as one of the highlights of the season.

I know that I was privileged to watch it and I'm sure anyone who watched it at home realised that handball is one of the great spectator sports of the world, if not the best.

Here's just a theory. The biggest loss to Berlin next season is Laen.

He, as captain, has played a key role in my eyes to keep this team together, to bridge that gap between coaches and players. The gap he bridged was just a bridge too far this season for the hitherto unbeaten Barcelona.