25.05.2010, 01:11
Ciudad Real defend Super Globe title

Successful EHF FINAL4 dress rehearsal in Qatar.

Ciudad Real defend Super Globe title

One week before the EHF FINAL4 in Cologne, reigning EHF Champions League winners Ciudad Real have won the next title after recently becoming Spanish champions.

They won the IHF Super Globe, the World Championship for club teams. The Spaniards defended their title in Doha (Qatar) in front of 3,000 spectators by beating host Al-Sadd in the final 30:25 (15:11), even as the Qataris had signed European top stars like Ivano Balic or Kiril Lazarow for the tournament. Ciudad Real remained unbeaten over the whole Super Globe tournament.

Arpad Sterbik was awarded best goalkeeper, Kiril Lazarow was second best scorer with in total 40 goals, after he had scored 12 goals only in the final. Best Ciudad Real scorers in the final were Jerome Fernandez and Eric Gull with each seven goals.

"It was a final on high level," Ciudad coach Talant Dushebajew said, "we’re proud to be the first team ever to defend the title at the Super Globe."

Zamalek (Egypt) defeated Al-Sadd (Lebanon) with 33:22 and won third place, while Unopar (Brazil) defeated Southern Stars (Australia) 31:16 to take fifth place.

From Monday on Ciudad’s whole concentration will be on the semi-final of the EHF FINAL4 in Cologne where they will meet THW Kiel.

IHF Super Globe results:

Preliminary Round

Group A:
Ciudad Real (Spain) – Al Zamalek (Egypt) 28:22 (17:13)
Ciudad Real – Unopar (Brazil) 40:19 (21:8)
Al Zamalek – Unopar 31:29 (15:15)

Group B:
Al-Sadd (Katar) – Al Sad (Lebanon) 30:19 (15:10)
Al-Sadd – Southern Stars (Australia) 36:16 (16:8)
Al-Sad – Southern Stars 32:19 (16:7)

Semi finals
Ciudad Real – Al-Sad 41:18 (21:8)
Al-Sadd – Al Zamalek 27:23 (13:12)

5/6 game
Unopar – Southern Stars 31:16 (16:8)

3/4 game
Al Zamalek – Al-Sad 33:22 (12:8)

Final
Ciudad Real – Al-Sadd 30:25 (15:11)

For further information visit www.ihfsuperglobe2010.com.

TEXT: Björn Pazen and Ivan Ambroš