The losses of Luka Cindric and especially Ludovic Fàbregas, considered the best pivot in the world, shrouded Barcelona in doubt for this season. Not for Spain, where there has been no one to blame for more than a decade, but for Europe, where there are teams with equal or better pockets, since the Barça team lost without going any further in the Champions League semi-final of the previous year in the penalty shootout against Magdeburg. But the passing of the games and the emergence of Luis Frade as a pivot and Peter Cikusa as a full-back – the future of Barça and the Spanish team -, in addition to a reaffirmation of Dika Mem in the elite of world handball and the establishment of automatisms later After three years with Carlos Ortega on the bench, he has found a very consistent Barça, definitive at a gallop. This was clarified in the new European semi-finals against Kiel (30-18), supported on this occasion by goalkeeper Nielsen, the authentic Saint Peter blaugrana.
As if the defeat of the previous year that derailed them before the final of the tournament was still stinging, Barça combusted in the match against Kiel, a 3-0 partial thanks to the running handball well scored by Frade and the protagonism of Dika Mem, the captain and an example for everyone, because just a few days ago he lost his sister when she was only 17 years old. Also, of course, work and art of the gadgetarms of Nielsen, who there are still some daring people who call him overweight. “Have you seen how flexible he is and how far he reaches with his legs and arms?” They reply with a smile and a shrug that says it all from the corridors of the sports city; “He doesn’t need to lose anything because he doesn’t have to do cardio.”
But Kiel, a superb team, responded fiercely, four goals from a run that they accompanied with celebrations and an explicit request for encouragement from the stands, because they wanted it to be noticed that they were playing almost at home, in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, packed as always. with 20,000 spectators. A moment of Barça trembling, of naive Carlsbogard losses, of Melvyn Richardson’s steps, of crooked shots in general… The energetic German defense – to the point that any foul was celebrated on the bench – was a mouthful that was difficult to digest. But the referees put an end to the chaos, as they began to point out the fouls and decree a couple of expulsions that Barça did not waste, always accurate Aleix Gómez from the penalty spot, effervescent Cikusa, sensational Aitor Ariño from the corner, every time made it 10-6. A suggestive income that maintained the Wall Danish Nielsen under the sticks, who gave his rivals hands – 15 saves in the first half – and fists of joy for his team, laughter everywhere. Like those uncorked by Janc, who to close the event celebrated two kilometer goals, especially because Kiel attacked with seven and did not have time to take out the goalkeeper against the lightning rival offensives. 15-9 at halftime, Barcelona step ahead.
Although Barça re-entered firmly at 40×20, Kiel entrusted Reinkind and Duvnjak to once again score four goals without stopping, an argument for the pavilion to come to a boil. Another incentive, in any case, for Nielsen, who once again dwarfed the goal, even capable of stopping three penalties, and who for once did not leave any space or even just a few minutes for the brilliant Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas in the relays. Shoot and stop; shot and body; shot and water. Nielsen for everyone. So Barcelona, consistent with its goalkeeper, hit a new growth spurt, six goals in a row without remission (24-14), a champion’s achievement. Or, at least, as a finalist because that’s how the Barça party continued, a great afternoon like no other. Now the Danish Aalborg awaits them, who managed to overcome a Magdeburg (28-26) that will not be able to defend its crown. The Barça team will be able to claim, however, its throne, the one it conquered 11 times, the last two years ago. It would be the perfect ending to the season, where Barça has counted all the championships for titles. With Nielsen being sweet, so much so that he was applauded by the entire stadium when he left the field with nine minutes left, it will be easier for him.
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