Barca didn’t allow any opening for Paris Saint-Germain and proceeded to Cologne according to plan. THW Kiel and Montpellier HB spinned off in a completely different direction when the ”zebra team” made a comeback for the history books.
The German supporters will have two teams to support during the final weekend. But Kiel´s ticket to success was maybe the biggest surprise of them all in international handball. The home team started strong, powered through as Eric Johansson and Harald Reinkind found the net time and time again in the first half (17–12).
Kiel needed to double their lead, and with 15 minutes to Montpellier seemed to balance the standing. Montpellier’s nerves and general lack of offensive quality in the away game played some part in the decisive minutes, Kiel´s keeper Tomas Mrkva and Johansson who secured the turn-around with 31–21 were star players in front of a roaring audience.
– We’ve put our hearts in our hands today. We’ve showed our fans in this iconic arena, we’ve shown ourselves that we are a team that can fight until the end, said Kiel´s coach Filip Jicha to eurohandball.com.
Besides the joy in Kiel and Barca it was an evening of international adieus. Patrice Canayer coached his last CL game with Montpellier HB after 30 years. Nikola Karabatic experienced the same ending as a back court icon when Paris Saint-Germain kept close but was unable to pass.
Barca. Dika Mem and Luis Frade ruled in the goal production and the Spanish giant travels to Cologne for the 12th time since 2010, according to eurohandball.com.
Champions League
Barca–Paris Saint-Germain 32–31 (17–12)
Barca through with 62–53 on aggregate
THW Kiel–Montpellier HB 31–21 (17–12)
Kiel through with 61–60 on aggregate