Barça set up Super Globe final against SC Magdeburg

07 Oct. 2021

Barça set up Super Globe final against SC Magdeburg

Barça are two out of two in Jeddah at the IHF Men’s Super Globe 2021, after securing a straightforward win against Brazilian side EC Pinheiros, 39:24.
 
On Saturday, the Spanish powerhouse eye their sixth title in seven editions of the competition, when they meet German side SC Magdeburg in a battle between the winner of last season’s EHF Champions League Men and the winner of the EHF European League Men.

SEMI-FINAL
EC Pinheiros (BRA) vs Barça (ESP) 24:39 (16:23)
 
One day ago, Barça suffered an early scare in their quarter-final against Zamalek SC, when they went down 0:5, failing to score a goal in the first 10 minutes. A time-out from coach Antonio Carlos Ortega changed the outcome of the game and instilled new focus in the Spanish side.
 
This time around, Barça were determined not to be forced to mount a serious comeback and enjoyed a great start, jumping to a 6:1 lead with three goals from line player Ludovic Fabregas.
 
In fact, Fabregas, who is the Spanish powerhouse’s top scorer in the IHF Men’s Super Globe 2021, with 13 goals in three games, placing fourth in the top scorer standings, was unstoppable in the first half, scoring six times from six shots, as Pinheiros’ defence had little to no answer to his sheer strength and mobility.
 
Therefore, it was no surprise that Barça headed to one of their biggest-ever wins in the history of the competition against the Brazilian side, while also creating the biggest difference in an IHF Men’s Super Globe semi-final since the 23-goal win recorded by Spanish powerhouse BM Ciudad Real against Lebanon's Al Sadd HC in 2010 (41:18).
 
With Ortega sure enough of the win to hand some key players a rest for the big final on Saturday against SC Magdeburg, Barça continued to pounce, despite putting 23 goals past their opponents in the first half.
 
In fact, it was the defence who really shone, especially Argentinian goalkeeper Leonel Maciel, who stopped 21 shots, frustrating his South American rivals with every save he racked up.
 
Back on the court after a lengthy injury, wing Aitor Arino scored four times, while French back Timothey N’Guessan, also ushered in after a month’s absence, assisted one goal.
 
In fact, it was a nearly flawless game for Barça, whose plan was to open a big gap and then dose their effort, with their third game in four days being scheduled for Saturday, when they meet Magdeburg.
 
The 39:24 win was a straightforward procession, but Pinheiros also left the court with their heads held up high, after ensuring their best-ever finish in the competition after yesterday’s quarter-final win against Al Noor.
 
It also helped them showcase their superb talent, especially 19-year-old back Philip Seifert, a rising star in Brazilian handball, who faced two other former Pinheiros players, Haniel Langaro and Thiagus Petrus dos Santos, now plying their trade for Barça.
 
The Spanish side will now prepare for the final against SC Magdeburg on Saturday, as they eye their sixth win in the IHF Men’s Super Globe, a superb achievement for the reigning champions.
 
Meanwhile, Pinheiros are facing Aalborg Håndbold in the bronze-medal game, with a win helping them tie the best-ever Brazilian performance in the competition, the third place clinched by Metodista in 2002.