Since the current format of the EHF FINAL4 Men in Cologne, Germany, was introduced in 2010, Barça became the first team to retain their EHF Champions League Men title. Following a 37:35 win on penalties against the Polish champions Łomża Vive Kielce in a thrilling final at Lanxess Arena, the Spanish side became a 10-time winner of Europe’s premier club competition, and they triumphed in Cologne for the fourth time. 

While their previous title in 2021 was earned after a perfect campaign of 20 wins in as many matches, the road to the success in the 2021/22 season was not as smooth. Notably, the team of coach Carlos Ortega suffered three defeats in the group stage, including two against Kielce – so they took big revenge in the final.

However, the Spanish champions were dominant in the key matches of the season. After eliminating SG Flensburg-Handewitt in the quarter-final with an aggregate score of 24:20, Barça went on to win both games in Cologne, albeit in a tough battle. In the semi-final on Saturday, a solid second-half performance secured them a 34:30 win against THW Kiel, who were badly missing the injured duo of Sander Sagosen and Hendrik Pekeler. While Gonzalo Perez de Vargas played a crucial role in the goal, his teammate Aleix Gomez scored 12 goals in this match, just one goal shy of the EHF FINAL4 Men record, set by former Barça player Juanin Garcia in 2010.

In the second semi-final, Rodrigo Carrales’ 10 saves powered Telekom Veszprem to a 18:16 lead at half-time, but the Hungarian team’s defence looked more shaky after Blaz Blagotinsek received a red card soon after the restart, so Kielce managed a comeback and won 37:35.

The 3/4 placement match was high-scoring as well, and while Kiel were close to winning in a regular time, Veszprem’s Kentin Mahe scored a last-gasp penalty goal to draw level at 34:34, so everything was decided in a penalty shoot-out. Kiel’s goalkeeper Niklas Landin, who had been a pale shadow of himself in the semi-final against Barça, now played a crucial role, saving two shots against Gasper Marguc and Rasmus Lauge and helping his team to take a 37:35 win. 

The last match of the weekend in Cologne was completely worthy of a final, and while Barça were looking for their 10th title, Kielce hoped to emulate their success from 2016, when they defeated Veszprem in a shoot-out. 

It was an extremely tight and entertaining encounter, in which both rivals showed their best qualities. Barça had a slight advantage at the break, 14:13, and they were leading 28:27 with a few seconds to go in a regular time, but the Belarusian Artsem Karalek – who was named the MVP of the FINAL4 – kept Kielce in the fight.

The extra time was no less exciting, but this time Barça were the last to score, as Dika Mem drew level at 32:32 50 seconds from the buzzer. In the dying seconds, Alex Dujshebaev had a chance to secure a trophy for his team, but his shot went wide.

So already the second match on Sunday had to be decided on penalties, and Perez de Vargas became Barça’s hero, as he saved Alex Dujshebaev’s shot. In contrast, all five penalty takers of the Spanish side did well, and a shot by Ludovic Fabregas sealed the final 37:35 score, making Barça jump for joy.

Ortega, who started coaching his former club in 2021, now took his seventh Champions League trophy after six as a player, levelling record holder Andrej Xepkin. Besides, Barça’s Aitor Arino and Gonzalo Perez de Vargas became the first players to win the trophy four times in Cologne after 2011, 2015 and 2021. 

Aleix Gomes, who scored nine goals in the final match, became a top scorer of the EHF Champions League Men with 104 goals, four ahead of his teammate Dika Mem. Veszprem’s Petar Nenadic took the third place in the top scorer standings with 93 goals.

Both right wing Gomez and right back Mem were included in the All-star Team of the season in the EHF Champions League Men, while Kielce’s coach Talant Dujshebaev also made it there.

In turn, Kiel were represented by goalkeeper Niklas Landin and defender Hendrik Pekeler in the All-star Team, while Veszprem delegated centre back Kentin Mahe and left back Petar Nenadic. Besides, Paris Saint-Germain’s line player Kamil Syprzak also made it there, and Tobias Grondahl from Elverum Handball became the best young player of the competition.

For more information on the EHF Champions League Men and the EHF FINAL4, visit eurohandball.com. 

Photo: EHF / kolektiff