THW Kiel missed the “small sensation” and thus the Champions League final against national goalkeeper Andreas Wolff. The German handball record champion lost the semifinals of the Final Four in Cologne against the defending champion FC Barcelona 30:34 (18:19). The North Germans have to wait for their fifth title in the premier class.
Even seven goals from the best Kiel thrower Patrick Wiencek in the circle were not enough to reach the final on Saturday in front of 20,000 spectators in the sold-out Lanxess Arena.
“We didn’t score in the second half. We needed extreme effectiveness, we didn’t have that. But that’s how it is, I’m still proud of the lads,” said coach Filip Jicha. Goalkeeper Niklas Landin said: “It hurts extremely.”
In the fight for Europe’s crown, Barca will meet Vive Kielce on Sunday (6 p.m. / DAZN) with the German national goalkeeper and ex-Kieler Wolff.
The Polish champion defeated Telekom Veszprem 37:35 (16:18) in the first semi-final. On Sunday (3.15 p.m.) Kiel will play third place against the Hungarian record champion.
THW keeps up against Barca for a long time
“We showed incredible morale, a lot of heart and character. We deservedly made it into the final,” said Wolff, completely exhausted, sweat dripping from his forehead: “I have to eat something first, I’m incredibly tired.”
Wolff described a possible final against Kiel as a “dream”. The 31-year-old should be able to cope with the fact that this did not come true: against Barca, the 2016 European champion can secure the greatest success of his club career right at his Final Four premiere.
Kiel kept up with the Catalans for a long time, but lost the thread shortly after the restart. The 29:33 (58th) meant a preliminary decision. The German runners-up had brilliantly forgotten about the absences of Sander Sagosen and Hendrik Pekeler, the two key players in attack and defence.
No game for the goalkeeper
Circle runner Wiencek, in particular, initially used the balls on the offensive. Barca always had to step up their game at first, but managed to do so effortlessly. Given the difficult conditions, Jicha prophesied on Friday: “We need a little sensation.”
The THW stayed awake, the players kept whipping each other – the atmosphere at the final tournament, which took place in a full hall for the first time in two years, did the rest. The mood on the field became heated.
Both teams stayed cool with the ball. Both Barca and Kiel continued to find gaps offensively. It was not a game for goalkeepers – neither the Kiel world handball player Niklas Landin nor Gonzalo Perez de Vargas shone in the Barca goal.
Barca pull away after the break
When the Kielers kept making mistakes on the offensive after the break, Barca struck ice cold. At 23:27 (44th) the Spaniards took the lead with four goals. Kiel then continued to fight valiantly, but did not come any closer than at 29:32 (57th).
Wolff had his best phase against Veszprem after the break. The keeper came back onto the field shortly after the restart and saved a penalty (33rd). The action served as an initial spark for the Polish top team, which then turned the game around.