FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.11.2008 18:35

Next stage will be difficult (33-26)

Verònica Díez

Barça Borges hasn’t been able to pick up the points on offer away at Kiel. The Germans were tough opponents from the word go and in Omeyer had the star of the game.

Manolo Cadenas’s men couldn’t beat THW Kiel, who didn’t make a single mistake in this first stage Champions League game. Juanín Gacía was Barça’s best player with nine goals. After this defeat the Catalans go on to the next stage with no points, while Kiel have four. Barça will find it hard to get through that next stage.

Laszlo Nagy came off in the second half after the stomach problems he’s had all week finally got the better of him.

Jicha and Omeyer decide the game

The home side dominated right from the start with Jicha making it 2 – 0 almost immediately. The forcefulness and determination of the Germans contrasted strongly with the hastiness and defensive weakness of Barça Borges.

The Catalans just couldn’t get the goals to go in. Either they were blocked by THW Kiel’s defensive wall or by the keeper, Frenchman Omeyer, who was the star of the game. Kasper Hvidt was also brilliant in the first half. Iker Romero helped to keep his team in it at 5 - 3 and eight minutes later Boldsen also cut the gap to two at 7 - 5. But FC Barcelona Borges couldn’t keep up and the home side continued to score to reach half-time with a 16 to 11 lead.

Juanín García is most effective

In the second half things went no better for Barcelona. Kiel were still playing out of their skins and their lead gradually increased. Omeyer remained rock solid in goal and the defence was still aggressive. In attack, Jicha was very effective as was Ahlm. Zeitz came on towards the end and as usual was right on the money. Juanín García was Barça’s best hope and managed to cut the Germans’ lead to 29 - 23. Team-mate Mikkel Hansen also tried to get Barça back into the game, but it was too late; the match had been decided long before.