17.09.2017, 10:00
Groetzki’s last-second goal secures point in Mannheim thriller

MATCH OF THE WEEK REVIEW: Rhein-Neckar Löwen come to life in the second half to salvage a point against FC Barcelona Lass in their VELUX EHF Champions League opener

Groetzki’s last-second goal secures point in Mannheim thriller

The clash between German and Spanish champions in the first Match of the Week in VELUX EHF Champions League Group A did not disappoint as Rhein-Neckar Löwen and FC Barcelona Lassa shared the spoils in Mannheim.

The Spanish champions had a comfortable six-goal lead at the break, 18:12, but after an incredible comeback the Germans secured a last-second goal to level the game 31:31.

· Barcelona dominate opening 30 minutes, but let lead slip

· Mannheim’s lions fought incredibly to get back into the game minutes after the break.

· Patrick Groetzki secured a point for Löwen after a nerve-racking last minute.

GROUP A

Rhein-Neckar Löwen (GER) vs FC Barcelona Lassa (ESP) 31:31 (12:18)

The Spanish visitors came ready and raring to go, setting the tone right from the beginning with five goals in seven minutes.

Löwen did well to keep up during the first quarter of the game, but after Andre Schmid levelled the scores at 9:9 in the 17th minute, the Catalan removed their gloves.

During the last ten minutes of the first half, Barcelona ran on the width of the team went on a 6:1 run, taking an 18:12 lead into the dressing rooms.

The German side can never be written off, however, and they showed incredible strength to fight back into the game right after the break. Four goals in a row early in the second half cut Barcelona‘s lead to 20:19.

The Catalan side found its rhythm again but the comeback was complete when Gedeón Guardiola levelled the score to 23:23, firing up the German crowd. Barcelona tried to fight off again, but the Lions had blood on their teeth and the tension kept rising during the last minutes.

In the last three minutes of the game, Barcelona lost their one-goal lead as both Raúl Entrerríos and Valero Rivera were handed two-minute suspensions.

With seven seconds remaining, Dika Mem scored what looked to be Barcelona’s winning goal, but in the last breath of the game Patrick Groetzki secured a point for the home side in a thrilling end to a spectacular second half.

#MOTW REVIEW: @patrickgroetzki snatches draw for @RNLoewen vs @FCBhandbol, @HendrikPekeler named Player of the Match https://t.co/taZqgu0F0o pic.twitter.com/ut01fryqXF

— EHF Champions League (@ehfcl) September 17, 2017

TEXT: Andri Yrkill Valsson / cor