Superb win for Barça in the EHF Champions League, as they overcame a tough Montpellier Handball side at the Palau Blaugrana 40-34 in the penultimate matchday of the group phase. Viktor Hallgrímsson stood firm in goal with 13 saves, while N’Guessan, Frade and Aleix Gómez led the attack with seven goals each.
A very intense start meant neither team could pull away at the Palau. Despite a sending off for Arthur Lenne after three minutes, the game remained even. It was still a tie midway through the first half (10-10, min 15) and both Carlos Ortega and Érick Mathé called almost consecutive timeouts to make adjustments.
Good end to first half
The French took the first true lead by only two (16-18, min 24) and Ortega decided to bring on Hallgrímsson for Sergey Hernández who had already made five saves (min 24). It worked because the Icelander saved three in a row, and allied with two sendings off for Montpellier and good defence, the blaugranes scored four without reply to go in 20-18 at the break.
Marker laid down
The French side also changed their keeper with Bolzinger coming in and making five decent saves and they brought it back to 21-20. However, the blaugranes laid down a marker with a 4-1 partial (25-21, min 37), a lead they weren’t to let slip. With Hallgrímsson stunning in goal with a 50% save percentage and captain N’Guessan leading the way, the lead grew to seven (31-25, min 46).
Unstoppable
The visitors then picked up pace, and despite the tiredness, Barça kept going, dominating the scoring and closing out a great home win. It’s number five in a row in Europe, as Barça have won all their EHF Champions League games.
Next up, Carlos Ortega’s side play the final game before the Main Round on 29 October away to SAH Aarhus (8.45pm CEST), with another win to reach the next phase with maximum points the aim.
GAME STATS
Barça, 40
Montpellier Handball, 34
Barça: Sergey Hernández (-), Aleix Gómez (7), Djordje Cikusa (-), Fàbregas (3), N’Guessan (7), Barrufet (3), Petar Cikusa (2) – starting seven – Hallgrímsson (-), Frade (7), Elderaa (3), Dani Fernández (2), Mem (2), Smárason (1), Carlsbogard (1), Janc (1), Adrian Sola (1).
Montpeller Handball: Desbonnet (-), Lucas Guigon (4), Benjamin Richert (4), Arthir Lenne (2), Agustín Casado (6), Kyllian Villeminot (6), Leo Plantin (2) – starting seven – Charles Bolzinger (-), Pol Valera (1), Srna (2), Matéo Caille (2), Balaguer Romeu (1), Arthur Prida (-), Elliot Deltombe (4), Noé Calbry (-).
Partials: 3-4; 8-6; 11-10; 15-14; 17-18; 20-18 // halftime // 22-20; 27-24; 31-25; 34-28; 38-31; 40-34.
Referees: Lars Jorum, Havard Kleven. Red card for Benjamin Richert (Montpellier).
