Barcelona break Aalborg again: Catalans survive scare and reach EHF Champions League final
For the third time, Barcelona proved fatal for Danish side Aalborg at the EHF Champions League Final4.
The champions of the country of world champions had a chance to reach the final in regular time, but the Catalans managed to defend in the last 12 seconds at 28:28, before knocking out the rivals they had already beaten in the 2021 and 2024 finals during the additional ten minutes.
In the end, it was 37:32 for Antonio Carlos Ortega’s team, who will go for their 13th European crown on Sunday at 18:00 against Germany’s Füchse Berlin.
Barcelona dominated for 50 minutes, led by Makuc, N’Guessan and the brilliant Emil Nielsen. Solid in defence, the Catalans led 11:6 and then 17:12 early in the second half, before throwing away a 27:24 advantage from the 50th minute and allowing Aalborg to have the final attack for the win.
Sagosen, Bjørnsen and Arnoldsen, together with Fabian Norsten in goal, brought a change on the court, but Aalborg lacked the final blow.
The decision to continue with 7-on-6 attacking play in extra time proved costly for Aalborg. Three goals into the empty net and Barcelona’s 33:30 lead after the first five minutes broke the wings of the Danish side.
Aalborg: Arnoldsen 5/10, Blonz 5/8, Hoxer 4/10, Knorr 4/10, Juul-Lassen 4/4, Bjørnsen 3/4, Sagosen 2/5, Möller 2/2, Landin 1/1, Hald 1/1, Munk 1/2.
Aalborg goalkeepers: Landin 9 saves from 34 shots – 26.47%, Norsten 4/16 – 25.00%.
Barcelona: Gomez 8/9, Frade 7/9, N’Guessan 6/9, Makuc 5/5, Mem 3/9, Barufet 3/4, Janc 2/3, Fabregas 2/2, Petar Cikuša 1/2.
Barcelona goalkeepers: Nielsen 16 saves from 45 shots – 35.56%, Hallgrimsson 2/5 – 40.00%.
