Barça 30-32 Kielce: Fortress Palau finally broken

It's been so long that it was like it was never going to happen. The Barça handball team were unbeaten at home since 2015, when they lost to Kielce in the Champions League. Lightning seems to have struck twice, as some 47 games later, again against Kielce in the Champions League, Barça finally lost in the Palau. The effectiveness of the Polish team with an inspired Wolff in goal proved decisive.

The 30-32 defeat leaves Barça in second place at the halfway point of group B, three points behind their victors who lead on twelve points.

Encouraging opening 

Kielce started effectively but the home side quickly took control. going up 10-6 by the 17th minute. However, Langaro's suspension seemed to embolden Kielce who turned the tide to go in 16-19 up at the break with a potential upset on the cards.

No way through

Kielce came out fired up and remained effective in the second half. Carlos Ortega's team were finding it hard to keep pace, especially with an inspired Wolff in the opposing goal. Barça kept plugging away, though, bring the score close through N’Guessan (28-29, min 55), Dika Mem (29-30, min 56) and Fàbregas (30-31, min 57). However, the away side's top scorer Moryto scored the decisive goal to win the game 30-32.

GAME STATS

Barça, 30
Kielce, 32

Barça: Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas (-), Dika Mem (7), Aleix Gómez (3), N’Guessan (7), Cindric (1), Ariño (2), Fàbregas (5) - starters - Maciel, ps (-), Langaro (1), Ali Zein (-), Blaz Janc (-), Thiagus Petrus (-), Ángel Fernández (1), Artur Parera (-), Makuc (3), Richardson (-). 

Kielce: Wolff (-), Vujovic (3), Sanchez-Migallon (-), Moryto (7), Gebala (-), Karacic (1), Sicko (4) – starters - Nahi (6), Alex Dujshebaev (4), Olejniczak (-), Tournat (2), Kulesh (2), Thrastarson (-), Karalek (3), Gudjonsson (-).

Partial scores: 3-3, 5-10, 9-6, 11-10, 14-16, 16-19 (half-time) 20-22, 23-24, 23-26, 26-28, 27-29, 30-32 (full-time). 

Referees: Nikolov, Nachevski.