Barca beat Zagreb and 15.000 fans in Arena

FC Barcelona are one step closer to the VELUX EHF Champions League F4 in Cologne after „arbeit sieg“ in sold out Zagreb Arena, where 15.200 fans supported home team in defeat against Spaniards – 23:25 (10:14). Match full of tension put Xavi Pascual boys ahead after 60 minutes of battle, but the chances for F4 are even bigger before the second clash which will take place in Blaugrana.

The hero of the Barca’s victory was goalie Danijel Šarić with 13 saves, while Nikola Karabatić (6) and Victor Tomas (5) were important part of the winning squad. The absolutely No.1 in Zagreb’s roster was right back Luka Stepancic who scored nine goals.

The Spanish champions were in lead 9:5 after 19th minutes. The highest advantage +5, Karabatic and Co. had in 37th minute 17:12, but young Croatian gunners didn’t want to give up on the wings of amazing fans who made the best atmosphere in the new attendance record this season at the EHF Champions League.

Ilija Brozovic netted for 23:24 on two minutes before the final whistle, but the last magic goal is scored by Barca’s captain Victor Tomas…

Barcelona celebrated the 15th victory in 17th match against Zagreb in the VELUX EHF Champions League.

PPD ZAGREB – FC BARCELONA 23:25  (10:14)
Gledalaca: 15.200

PPD ZAGREB: Ivić (12+1 saves), Stevanović, Brozović 2, Stepančić 9, Čelica, Šprem, Šebetić, Pavlović, Horvat 5(3), Šušnja 1, J. Valčić 2, T. Valčić, Mandalinić 2, Obranović 1, Vuglač 1, Kovačević
FC BARCELONA: Perez de Vargas, Šarić (12 saves); Noddesbo, Tomas 5, Ra. Entrerrios 1, Sorhaindo 1, Sarmiento 1, Arino, Gurbindo 1, Sigurdsson 5, Rutenka, Morros, N. Karabatić 6, Saubich, Jallouz, Lazarov 5(4)
RESULTS: 1:0 (4′), 2:2 (7′), 3:3 (9′), 5:4 (12′), 5:7 (17′), 5:9 (19′), 6:10 (23′), 7:11 (26′), 10:14(30′), 11:15 (34′), 13:17 (38′), 15:19 (42′), 17:20 (46′), 18:22 (49′), 19:23 (52′), 23:24 (58′), 23:25(60′)

IGRAČ UTAKMICE: Luka Stepančić