Barcelona take revenge for Cologne in Doha

“We wanted to take revenge – and we took revenge, great!” Barcelona’s team captain Victor Tomas was highly pleased after he had lifted the golden trophy and received the 400.000 dollar cheque on Friday evening in Doha, Qatar.

In a thrilling final of the IHF Super Globe (world championship for club teams) the record winner of the EHF Champions League beat the current VELUX EHF Champions League winners HSV Hamburg 27:25 (15:13). The duel was the re-match of the June's VELUX EHF FINAL4 final, won by Hamburg after extra-time in Cologne.

Little things decided

The victory was secured only 14 seconds before the end, when Siarhei Rutenka netted in a penalty shot for the final result of 27:25. Earlier, Hamburg including the top scorer Hans Lindberg (seven goals) had a huge number of chances to turn the page, but failed against Barca goalkeeper Danijel Šarić.

“We had our fate in our hands and only we are responsible for this defeat,” said HSV team captain Pascal Hens.

“Little things decided, and Barca had the upper hand highly close. To keep up with a team like them is a good result for newly built team,” said HSV goalkeeper Johannes Bitter.

On the other hand Barcelona coach Xavi Pascual was very satisfied to beat HSV.

“Always when these two teams face each other everything can happen. We lost in Cologne, now we won at Doha – and maybe we compete again in the upcoming season of the Champions League,” Pascual said after winning his second international title after raising the VELUX EHF Champions League trophy in 2011.

New team on the intercontinental throne

Both finalists were part of the Super Globe for the first time - Hamburg represented the EHF as reigning Champions League winners, Barcelona were the substitute team for defending intercontinental champions Atlético Madrid, who beat THW Kiel in the 2012 final.

“It is great to have this trophy in our cabinet now, as we have never won it until now. To win a competition for the first time is always something special,” Tomas added.

Both European teams were clearly dominant in Doha, at the end Barcelona were the only team to have a clear sweep with five victories from five matches in six days. Hamburg eliminated African club champions Etoile Sportive du Sahel from Tunisia in the semi-final before, while Barcelona had more problems against Qatari team El-Jaish, which won the bronze medals by a clear 27:20 against Sahel. 

The results of the placement matches:

Placement match 7/8: Sydney University (AUS) – Al-Sadd (QAT) 18:30 (10:14)

Placement match 5/6: Taubate (AUS) – Al-Rayyan (QAT) 29:30 (12:17)

Bronze final: Etoile Sportive du Sahel (TUN) – El-Jaish (QAT) 20:27 (8:13)

Final: HSV Hamburg (GER) – FC Barcelona (ESP) 25:27 (13:15)

Past winners of IHF Super Globe:

1997 in Vienna, Austria: CB Cantabria (ESP)
2002 in Doha, Qatar: Al Sadd (QAT)
2007 in Cairo, Egypt: BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2010 in Doha, Qatar: BM Ciudad Real (ESP)
2011 in Doha, Qatar: THW Kiel (GER)
2012 in Doha, Qatar: BM Atlético Madrid (ESP)
2013 in Doha, Qatar: FC Barcelona (ESP)

Photo: courtesy Stephane Pillaud