The losses of Luka Cindric and particularly Ludovic Fàbregas, thought of one of the best pivot on this planet, shrouded Barcelona doubtful for this season. Not for Spain, the place there was nobody responsible for greater than a decade, however for Europe, the place there are groups with equal or higher pockets, for the reason that Barça group misplaced with out going any additional within the Champions League semi-final of the earlier yr within the penalty shootout in opposition to Magdeburg. But the passing of the video games and the emergence of Luis Frade as a pivot and Peter Cikusa as a full-back – the way forward for Barça and the Spanish group -, along with a reaffirmation of Dika Mem within the elite of world handball and the institution of automatisms later After three years with Carlos Ortega on the bench, he has discovered a really constant Barça, definitive at a gallop. This was clarified within the new European semi-finals in opposition to Kiel (30-18), supported on this event by goalkeeper Nielsen, the genuine Saint Peter blaugrana.
As if the defeat of the earlier yr that derailed them earlier than the ultimate of the match was nonetheless stinging, Barça combusted within the match in opposition to Kiel, a 3-0 partial because of the operating handball effectively scored by Frade and the protagonism of Dika Mem, the captain and an instance for everybody, as a result of just some days in the past he misplaced his sister when she was solely 17 years previous. Also, after all, work and artwork of the gadgetarms of Nielsen, who there are nonetheless some daring individuals who name him chubby. “Have you seen how flexible he is and how far he reaches with his legs and arms?” They reply with a smile and a shrug that claims all of it from the corridors of the sports activities metropolis; “He doesn't need to lose anything because he doesn't have to do cardio.”
But Kiel, an excellent group, responded fiercely, 4 targets from a run that they accompanied with celebrations and an specific request for encouragement from the stands, as a result of they needed it to be observed that they had been enjoying nearly at dwelling, within the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, packed as all the time. with 20,000 spectators. A second of Barça trembling, of naive Carlsbogard losses, of Melvyn Richardson's steps, of crooked pictures usually… The energetic German protection – to the purpose that any foul was celebrated on the bench – was a mouthful that was tough to digest. But the referees put an finish to the chaos, as they started to level out the fouls and decree a few expulsions that Barça didn’t waste, all the time correct Aleix Gómez from the penalty spot, effervescent Cikusa, sensational Aitor Ariño from the nook, each time made it 10-6. A suggestive revenue that maintained the Wall Danish Nielsen below the sticks, who gave his rivals arms – 15 saves within the first half – and fists of pleasure for his group, laughter all over the place. Like these uncorked by Janc, who to shut the occasion celebrated two kilometer targets, particularly as a result of Kiel attacked with seven and didn’t have time to take out the goalkeeper in opposition to the lightning rival offensives. 15-9 at halftime, Barcelona step forward.
Although Barça re-entered firmly at 40×20, Kiel entrusted Reinkind and Duvnjak to as soon as once more rating 4 targets with out stopping, an argument for the pavilion to return to a boil. Another incentive, in any case, for Nielsen, who as soon as once more made the aim smaller, able to even stopping three penalties, and who for as soon as didn’t depart any house and even just some minutes for the good Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas within the relays. Shoot and cease; shot and physique; shot and water. Nielsen for everybody. So Barcelona, in step with its goalkeeper, hit a brand new progress spurt, six targets in a row with out remission (24-14), a champion's achievement. Or, no less than, as a finalist as a result of that's how the Barça celebration continued, an important afternoon like no different. Now the Danish Aalborg awaits them, who managed to beat a Magdeburg (28-26) that will be unable to defend its crown. The Barça group will be capable to declare, nevertheless, its throne, the one it conquered 11 instances, the final two years in the past. It could be the right ending to the season, the place Barça has counted all of the championships for titles. With Nielsen being candy, a lot in order that he was applauded by your entire stadium when he left the sector with 9 minutes left, will probably be simpler for him.
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