With the today games between RK PPD Zagreb and FC Barcelona EHF Velux Champions League quarter-finals kicked-off. This game was highly anticipated by both of teams, rivalry between RK Zagreb and FC Barcelona is very old. But since then a lot of things changes, while Barcelona is still one of main forces in Europe Zagreb is more like 2nd class team. But no matter what RK Zagreb made some impressive results this season, they got a young team with excellent coach and before this game they were unbeaten on their home ground – Arena Zagreb.
Unbeatable Danijel Saric
Zagreb scores the first goal, but Barcelona quickly answers. Zagreb was playing first part of first half excellent; they had aggressive defense and goalkeeper on high level. Neither one team could make any real goal difference and then Barcelona score three quick goals and score quickly change from 4-5 to 7-5 for Barcelona. At that point Barcelona goalkeeper Danijel Saric was taking all the highlights, with his great performance Barcelona quickly moved to four goals lead. Zagreb tried on several occasions to lower Barcelona lead, but Barcelona experience team (and their goalkeeper) kept Zagreb on -4. Barcelona finish first half with four goals led 14-10.
First loss for Zagreb on their home ground this season in EHF Velux Champions League
In second half Barcelona was controlling the game but Zagreb fighting all the time. Barcelona got a chance to extend their lead at the start of second half but Viran Morros missed the chance. On the other side young and inexperienced Zagreb team got several chances to fully catch Barcelona and to equal the match. But mistakes in attack, unlucky shots or Danijel Saric didn’t allow Zagreb to equal the game. At the end Barcelona manage to do something that THW Kiel or Paris Saint-Germain didn’t in this seas – beat Zagreb on their home ground.
Karabatic with 6 goals was Barcelona best scorer; Tomas and Lazarov were not far behind with 5 goals each. For home side Stepancic scored 9, Horvat 5 and Mandalinic scored 3.
RK PPD Zagreb – FC Barcelona 23 – 25 (10 – 14), Match Center
EHF Velux Champions League: Barcelona one step closer to Final Four after beating PPD Zagreb
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