01.06.2013, 05:13 Deserved victory for Spanish side against Kielce despite strong resistance |
||
Barcelona reach their tenth EHF Champions League finalKS Vive Targi Kielce (POL) vs. FC Barcelona Intersport (ESP) 23:28 (10:13)
14 saves from goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik, eight goals from top scorer Siarhei Rutenka and a brilliant defensive performance were the keys for FC Barcelona Intersport to celebrate a little jubilee as the Catalans reached a final of the Men's EHF Champions league for the tenth time since 1994. Their opponents in the final tomorrow (Sunday 2 June) will be confirmed in the second semi-final of defending champions THW Kiel against HSV Hamburg later tonight (18:00 hrs local time). Intermediately his players had understood his message, as a triple strike of the wings Manuel Strlek (two, and the top Kielce scorer with four goals) and Thorir Olafsson brought a level score just 68 seconds later. But then the Barca machine was running again. Siarhei Rutenka added six goals to his tally (including four cold as ice penalties) before the break – which nearly meant nearly the half of the Barca goals were scored in the first 30 minutes and they nearly even led by four goals at the break, but Angel Montoro’s strike which could have made it 14:10 was after the half-time buzzer. Kielce had the better start after the break, as they clearly improved in defence and their scoring percentage. By stealing some passes in defence they got the opportunity to score easy goals by counter-attacks mainly by Ivan Cupic, and caused nervousness in the Barcelona squad. In only 10 minutes they equalised again to make it 16:16 – and the hundreds of Polish spectators went crazy inside the LANXESS arena, pushing their team to the limit. Barca coach Xavi Pascual reacted, interfering with a time-out. But Kielce kept their powers to withstand this intensive defensive battle and their goalkeeper Slawomir Szmal saved some important shots, Barca needed nine more minutes to gain a three goal distance, when Rutenka netted in for the eighth time at 21:18. When Eduardo Gurbindo hit the net for 23:19, the margin was four goals for the first time – and then Kielce had to play with nothing to lose to have a chance to bridge the gap. But this risk to replace a goalkeeper by an additional field player was too high, as Barca took the chance to score into the empty goal twice, deciding the first semi-final at 26:20 in minute 55 with Victor Tomas. Allt the fotos from the game can be found here. TEXT: Bjorn Pazen/amc |
||
Content Copyright by the European Handball Federation and EHF Marketing (c) 1994-2024 |