FINAL REVIEW: A strong start into the second half was decisive for the defending champions in their final against Füchse Berlin, while VELUX EHF Champions League winners Montpellier took the bronze medal in Doha
Barça win fourth Super Globe trophy
A total of 15 saves by Danish goalkeeper Kevin Møller and a 9:1 series at the start of the second half were the key factors to Barça Lassa adding another trophy to their huge cabinet on Friday. In a repeat of last year, the team of head coach Xavi Pascual won the IHF Super Globe Final against Füchse Berlin, this time by a five-goal difference, 29:24 (13:12).
The EHF Cup winners from Germany stood strong for 34 minutes, then they were overran by the Barça express. All court players of the Spanish side ended up on the scorers’ list, led by team captain Victor Tomas with five strikes.
After the lead had changed several times in the first half, a 14:13 lead in minute 34 after a goal by Füchse’s best scorer, Jacob Holm (eight goals), was the last time that the German side would be ahead.
They netted only once in the next nine minutes as Barça turned the match around by running away to a 22:15 lead, including four counter-attack goals by Tomas.
The defending champions kept the seven-goal difference until 28:21, and though Füchse slightly reduced the gap, the victory for the Super Globe record winners was never in danger.
It was Barça’s fourth triumph in Doha from as many final appearances, after 2013, 2014 and 2017. Berlin, however, lost their their second straight final against the same opponent, after winning the trophy in 2015 and 2016. Overall, it was the eighth victory for a Spanish team at the unofficial club world championship, after earlier titles for CB Cantabria (1997) and Ciudad Real/Atletico Madrid (2007, 2010, 2012).
Earlier Friday, Super Globe debutants Montpellier HB easily won the bronze medal match, 33:23 (14:9) against hosts Al-Sadd from Qatar.
Right back Valentin Porte was top scorer for the reigning VELUX EHF Champions League title holders with a perfect 11 goals from 11 attempts.
IHF Super Globe 2018:
- Placement match 7/8:
Al-Najma vs Sydney 28:26 (17:12)
- Placement match 5/6:
Hammamet vs Taubate 24:34 (13:14)
- Bronze medal match:
Montpellier HB vs Al-Sadd 33:23 (14:9)
- Final:
Barça Lassa vs Füchse Berlin 29:24 (13:12)
All photos courtesy of IHF
TEXT:
Björn Pazen / ew