BY FAWAD HUSSAIN
DOHA: FC Barcelona yesterday became the first side to retain their IHF Super Globe title after overcoming spirited Al Sadd 34-26 in the final at the Qatar Handball Association Complex that saw an attendance of over 5,000 spectators.
Backed by avid home enthusiasts, Al Sadd showed signs of their stunning semi-final performance against European champions SG Flensburg Handewitt in the first half, but they failed to carry on the momentum in the second half to hand FC Barcelona their second consecutive title.
It was a close contest in the first 30 minutes as Al Sadd did not allow the European giants to gain a big lead, with a good display both in defense and in attack.
Goalkeeper Abdelmalik Slahdji also made commendable saves to defy the attacking FC Barcelona players.
Facing a deficit of 9-14 in 22nd minute, the Doha club fought well to reduce lead and took the score to 15-13 within just four minutes before the Spanish side walked into the breather with a lead of 16-14. The home side was also impressive in the first six minutes of the second half as they were almost even (18-19) against their strong opponents before Barcelona gained pace and never looked back. In the next 15 minutes, the Europeans extended the lead to 31-21 to take things beyond Al Sadd’s reach. Kir Lazarrov scored the last goal as Barcelona players danced in jubilation.
However, Tunisia-born Amine Bannour gave the home side reasons to smile by finishing as one the top scorers of the tournament with a total of 30 goals after netting six goals in the final.
Victor Tomas, Eduardo Gurbindo and Siarhei Rutenka scored five goals apiece for the winning team.
Also yesterday, a day after suffering a shock defeat against Al Sadd, SG Flensburg Handewitt tamed Asian champions El Jaish 27-17 in one-sided match to claim third position on debut.
The Qatari side seemed not to have recovered from their semi-final loss to FC Barcelona as they hardly posed any threat to their German opponents.
The first 10 minutes were the best for the local side when they were even at 4-4 but Flensburg took control of the game after that and secured a lead of 15-6 in the first half. They were even better in the final session sealing a comfortable 27-17 victory to confirm bronze medal. Right wing B Radivojevic was their star with six goals.
“I am satisfied with the results,” Flensburg coach Ljubomir Vranjes said after the victory.
“We tested some young players in the game and I am happy with their performance,” he added.
“It’s been a good experience without two of our play-makers who missed the event due to injuries. We are taking back a lot of positives.
“We enjoyed our stay and I would like to wish (Doha) best of luck for the World Championship.”
To a query on criticism in German media regarding umpiring in the loss against Al Sadd on Thursday, Vranjes refused to complaint against the decisions in the match saying he was ‘more focused on bringing improvement in his players’.
On the other hand, EL Jaish coach Kastratovic Zoran was not happy with the team’s results against Flensburg.
“I am not satisfied with this result but still I would like to congratulate my players for their overall show in the event. They gave their hundred percent,” said Zoran. El Jaish’s pivot, Mahmoud Osman hoped the experience of playing in the contest will help his side in bringing improvement for the future tournaments.
“Last year we were third and our performance today is not acceptable at all. But I still feel that the event will help us rectify our mistakes for the events ahead,” said the seasoned player.
Meanwhile, African champions Esparance Tunis claimed fifth position following a close 32-31 win over Pan American champions Taubate. Kamel Alouini smashed nine goals in the victory.
Wild card entrants, Al Ahli ended the eight-team event on winning note when they edged out Sydney University (SUHC) 25-24 to secure seventh position.
Pavan Jorge steered the local side to victory by scoring nine goals while Alarayes Bassel was also impressive in the game, contributing seven goals in the win. SUHC heads home without a victory like last year’s edition.
THE PENINSULA
