Nantes Stuns Barcelona to Claim Third Place at EHF Final4
The least significant match in this season’s EHF Champions League — essentially a struggle for the teams at the Final4 tournament — was the third-place game, which went to French side Nantes, who defeated Barcelona 30:25 (14:9).
The LNH vice-champions held the lead throughout all 60 minutes, with the key difference made by Croatian goalkeeper Ivan Pešić, who recorded 14 saves. The top scorer was Odriozola with six goals, while Melvin Richardson, in his farewell match for the Spanish giants (he’s moving to Wisła Płock), scored eight times.
HBC Nantes – FC Barcelona 30:25 (14:9)
HBC Nantes: Pešić (14 saves), Biosca; Odriozola 6, Rivera 4/2, Abdi 4, Tournat 4, Briet 3, Lagarde 3, Minne 2, Bos 2, Leopold 2, Yoshida, Bonnefond, Avelange Demouge, Ovnicek, Gaber
FC Barcelona: Nielsen (9 saves), Gerard (1 save); Richardson 8/3, Mem 5, Gomez 4/2, Wanne 2, N’Guessan 2, Carlsbogard 1, Arino 1, Rodriguez 1, Bazan, Bazan, Janc, Makuc, Palomino, Frade, P. Cikusa
