10.02.2013, 07:00
Berlin bring Barcelona to their knees

Füchse beat record champions of EHF Champions League in the ehfTV.com Match of the Week and cause first defeat of the Catalans in this season

Berlin bring Barcelona to their knees

Füchse Berlin are the first team in all competitions of this season to beat FC Barcelona Intersport. In the VELUX EHF Champions League the Germans won against the Catalans in a highly thrilling match 31:30 (14:16) and re-gained the second place in Group D below the before undefeated team from Barcelona.

The ehfTV.com Match of the Week was a real highlighter – and finally the 19 (!) saves of goalkeeper Silvio Heinevetter were the key to success – especially the final one against Siarhei Rutenka seconds before the end, which secured the victory. With an additional field player on the court – while shorthanded in the final minute - Berlin were a lucky, but deserved winner.

Right wing Johannes Sellin was completely satisfied. "This match was just brilliant, especially in the final stages. As Silvio Heinevetter saved all shots, we had the means and the cleverness to win,” he said.

"It was an incredible audience, and I believe they all will return, as they saw and recognized our fighting spirit for 60 minutes. In my opinion we are the deserved winners, as we were patient enough after the break and additionally showed an incredible defence performance,” excited left back Sven-Sören Christopherssen added.

13.331 spectators in the sold-out O2 World saw a high-class clash. Barcelona had the clearly better start and could count on the goals of their Belarussian top star Siarhei Rutenka. Hitting the net four times in the opening stage, Rutenka was the reason for the clear 10:6 lead. But when Berlin changed their defence to a man-to-man defending against the five times VELUX EHF Champions League winner and goalkeeper Silvio Heinevetter improved, they took the upper hand.

The Germans stopped the Catalan express, including their seven world champions. Scoring three straight goals to 11:12 – including a double strike of former Barcelona shooter Iker Romero - the arena went crazy, and Barca coach Xavi Pascual was forced to take his first time-out.

But another former Barca player, Russian right back Konstantin Igropoulo, missed the great chance to equalize, as he failed with a penalty shot against Danijel Šarić at the score of 12:13. Causing some more mistakes Berlin allowed the seven times EHF Champions League winner to lead 16:14 at the break.

But Barcelona had lost their pace and rhythm in the dressing room. After only four minutes Pascual smashed his green card on the official’s table again, after his team caused four straight turnovers, inviting Füchse to four goals to be in lead 18:16 and aside having problems in defence.

Despite some important Šarić saves, Barcelona were not able to turn the match in the middle of the second half, in contrast: Thanks to Heinevetter Berlin kept the two distance until the 23:21, but Barca still did not surrender.

Scoring three straight goals – twice after brilliant Rutenka passes to Víctor Tomás – the Catalans, who had changed the goalkeeper from Šarić to world champion Arpad Sterbik,  went in lead again at 24:23 – and Füchse coach Dagur Sigurdsson took his time-out.

And when left wing Ivan Ninčević (top scorer with six goals) hit the net for the fifth time, Berlin again were in lead at 27:26 eight minutes before the end  - another boost for the host, who was backed by the brilliant support of their spectators.  When Heinevetter saved another two shots, Berlin were in top gear to march ahead to 30:28 and 31:29 with less than 90 seconds on the clock – but they had to shiver until the final whistle until the deal was sealed.

TEXT: Björn Pazen / br