FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.02.2009 18:01

Quarter final place in trouble (28-31)

Verònica Díez

Barça Borges have lost to Ciudad Real 28-31 in the first game of the second phase of handball’s Champions League. The result leaves a mountain to climb if Barça are going to go into the last eight – they need to win all three of their remaining match

All hope is not lost, but FC Barcelona have a mighty challenge ahead, and still have to travel to the Quijote Arena and make amends for the three-pint deficit they will carry from the Palau. They are also hoping that Ciudad Real lose both their games against THW Kiel, otherwise Barça have no hope of qualifying.

Barça did all they could against Ciudad Real and came frustratingly close to victory. Mikkel Hansen, with seven goals, led the scoring, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.

Ciudad Real strong

The game started with both teams unsteady, but Talan Dusjhebaev managed to set things straight before Barcelona. With Sterbik great in goal, and early 0-3 lead for the visitors had become 4-7 by the 12th minute. FC Barcelona Borges never let their heads drop and scores from Tomàs and Romero brought things back to 6-7.

Hansen instigates revolution

Mikkel Hansen tied things at 8-8, proving a nightmare for Sterbik, and then putting his side ahead on 23 minutes at 10-9. Moments later and Barça were two ahead fort the first time at 11-9. Two from Ciudad Real brought things level again at 12-12, and with a goal apiece to follow, it was all square at 13-13 at half time, with Rubén Garabaya sin binned.

Visitors power away

The break did Ciudad Real the world of good, and they came out with recharged batteries and stormed into a five-goal lead (16-21). And if playing without Garabaya had been bad enough, Barça then lost another player to the sin bin, this time Jernemyr. An uphill struggle lay ahead.

Defensive changes

Xavi Pascual then opted to switch the 6-0 system for 5- 1 with Cristian Ugalde moving forward. The plan seemed to work, and Laszlo Nagy made it 25-25 with ten to go. It was developing into a fascinating encounter when a Jesper Noddesbo delighted the Barça supporters to make it 26-25.

But then the visitors slammed home four uncontested goals. Stefansson, Laen and Rutenka combined to make it 27-30. There were just two minutes left, not enough for Barça to stage a third comeback, and the end result of 28-31 was devastating for their European challenge.