Veszprém 30-31 FC Barcelona: World champions!
World champions! Barça have won the Club World Championship in a memorable final against Veszprém (30-31). A second period of extra time was needed to decide the game, as the blaugranes came through some tough moments to claim the grand prize.
Huge performances from the keepers
Both the Catalans and Hugarians were brimming with attacking talent, but the defences shone most and both keepers in particular, Rodrigo Corrales for Veszprém and Emil Nielsen for FC Barcelona.
Veszprém made the better start (5-3), but the Danish stopper put his side back in the game, and despite stops by Corrales, the blaugranes took the lead at 5-6. There was nothing to choose between the sides until the break, as neither side could go more than one goal up. A low scoring half ended 12-13.
Back and forth
It was likely to be a tight affair, but Barça tried to pull away after a good period defending well, with Carlos Ortega's side taking the biggest lead in the game (15-18), but this was just illusory. The Hungarians defended better, the blaugrana goals dried up and finally it was 18-18 after no goals for either side for a spell.
Fàbregas scored his first in the final at a key moment, Barça were playing with fewer men, but there was Nielsen again, saving with his feet. However, Dani Fernández couldn't extend the lead from seven metres and Veszprém drew level again five minutes before the end with all to play for.
Two periods of extra time needed
Goals were scored by both sides (21-20) and a time out by Ortega led to an attack with no keeper, with N'Guessan scoring well (21-21). Barça defended well and had the chance for a final winner. Xavi Pascual then also called a time out, but the game ended 21-21 and went to extra time.
More of the same in extra time, Barça went ahead, Veszprém came back, even going up two (25-23) when the blaugranes were playing with no keepers, but Fàbregas scored right at the end of the first half to keep the game alive (25-24). The second half looked to be unsurmountable at 26-24, but the big game Barça showed up, Aleix and Dika Mem tying the game at 26 to go into a second period of extra time.
Nielsen again
The same guys always came through, Dika Mem scored, Nielsen saved the third penalty and Aleix kept his cool to score his penalty (26-28). However, Veszprém again came back to score three without reply (29-28). Barça were one down in the last minute (30-29), but this story hadn't ended.
World champions!
Nielsen again made a big save and Ludovic Fàbregas made the most of the opportunity (30-30). Aleix Gómez continued his key late role to score again (30-31) and the final ended with Nielsen trapping the ball between his legs as a fitting finale. Barça became world champions for a sixth time!
Game stats
Veszprém 30
Barça 31
Veszprém: Corrales (0), Descat (8), Marguc (4), Remili (6), Cindric (2), Pechmalbec (3) and Ali Zein (0) - starting seven - Appelgren (0), Petrus (0), Martinovic (6), Elisson (0), Ligetvari (0), Elderaa (1), Gancs-Peto (0), Mesilhy (0) and Molnar (0).
Barça: Nielsen (0), Aleix (6), Mem (4), Fàbregas (3), N'Guessan (4), Frade (3) i Barrufet (5) - starting seven - Hallgrimsson (0), Dani Fernández (1), Carlsbogard (0), D. Cikusa (1), Janc (3), Sola (0), Makuc (1), Elderaa (0) and P. Cikusa (0).
Partials: 3-2, 5-3, 5-5, 8-8, 10-11, 12-13 / halftime / 14-14, 14-15, 16-18, 17-18, 19-19, 21-21 / full time / 25-24, 26-26 / end of 1st period of extra time / 28-28, 30-31.
Referees: Robert Schulze, Tobias Toennies.