FC Barcelona 32-32 Kielce: European Champions on penalties!

FC Barcelona have won a grippingly intense Champions League final against Polish club Kielce that ended 32-32 and was eventually decided in a penalty shootout. 

Intense from the start

The Catalans started strongest, with Ángel Fernández totally plugged in and Aleix Gómez scoring six goals in the first half. 

But the first meaningful lead of the game was cut to nothing following the controversial sin-binning of Ángel Fernández. Barça went for seven minutes without scoring and Kielce managed to get the scores back level again. 

Still tight 

The Poles took the lead for the first time in the game just after the restart, but Makuc, Ariño and N'Guessan all contributed to getting Barça back in front. But another blaugrana goal drought got Kielce back into contention yet again.  

The minutes ticked by with Barça always playing catch-up, until consecutive scores from Dika and Ali Zein had the Catalans in charge for the minutes that really counted. But a Karalek goal on the buzzer meant we were headed for overtime. 

No split in OT

An Aleix goal meant Barça lead by one at the changeover in extra time, but Kielce neutralised that advantage with consecutive goals. Dika scored, Barça defended well, and the European crown was to be decided in a shootout.

Shootout glory

Aleix, Dika Mem, Richardson, Ali Zein and Fabregas all scored their penalties, while Gonzalo produced one brilliant save and that was enough to confirm an eleventh Champions League trophy for the handball team. VISCA EL BARÇA! 

MATCH STATS

Barça, 32 (5)
Kielce, 32 (3)

Barça: Pérez de Vargas (-), Ángel Fernández (3), N'Guessan (5), Cindric (-), Fabregas (1), Dika Mem (5), Aleix Gómez (9). Ariño (3), Janc (1), Thiagus Petrus (1), Makuc (1), Langaro (1), Ben Ali (-), Richardson (2), Ali Zein (-). 
Kielce: Wolff (-), Vujovic (4), Sánchez-Migallón (-), Sicko (3), Karacic (1), Moryto 4(), Nahi (2),. Olejniczak (-), Alex Dujshebaev (4), Tournat (2), Kulesh (-), Dani Dujshebaev (4), Paczkowski (-), Gebala (-), Karalek (4). 
Periods: 4-2 / 7-4 / 8-6 / 10-9 / 12-12 / 14-13 (HT) 16-16 / 19-18 / 20-21 / 23-24 / 25-25 / 28-28 (FT) 30-29 / 32-32 (OT) 5-3 (PENS)
Referees: Matija Gubica, Boris Milosevic