Barcelona proof its ambitions

FC Barcelona - Al Rayan 38:25 (21:14)

Premiere in the history of the IHF Super Globe tournaments: For the first time ever the most successful handball club of the world, FC Barcelona, is part of the tournament. And the seven times winner of the EHF Champions League started ambitious and in style in their opening match on Sunday (25 August) in Doha, Qatar.

Qatari team Al-Rayyan, winner of the Asian club league competition, was chanceless against world stars like Nikola Karabatic, Kiril Lazarov or Siarhei Rutenka and lost clearly by 38:25 (14:21). Al Rayyan started highly strong, boosted by the goals of their initially unstoppable top scorer Mohammed Algharaballi, who netted in five goals before the break. Barcelona had to get used to the playing system of their competitors in their first ever match at an IHF Super Globe event. Until the score of 11:11 in minute 21 Al-Rayyan (including Russian international Vasily Filipov as short-term transfer) could manage to be on eye level – but from that moment on the Catalans changed to express mode.

As goalkeeper Danijel Saric closed the goal, assisted by the strong defence, Barca forged ahead easily and scored an impressive 10:3 series in only nine minutes until the break (21:14) to pre-decide the encounter already. Especially team captain Victor Tomas was outstanding, scoring like a machine by counter-attacks. And after only 34 minutes the distance was double-figured for the first time at the score of 24:14, as also Barcelona's newcomers Kiril Lazarov (IHF Super Globe winner 2012 with Atletico Madrid) and Nikola Karabatic (former world handball player of the year, twice Olympic, three times World Champion with France) started to fit in their new team. Having in mind that they have won the match, Barcelona showed some handball magic and excited the spectators in Al-Gharafa arena in Doha, keeping the distance constantly at about ten goals or even more. And without their strong goalkeeper Hussain Bazkairi, the backlog of Al-Rayyan would have even been much bigger. The only target Barca missed, was to score 40 or more goals.

Statements from the press conference:

Xavi Pascual, coach Barcelona:
We needed some time to adapt, but after 20 minute we had found our rhythm, and then we broke the game. The second half was much easier, after we had solved the normal problems you have in a first match. We have a great team this year, but we need to proof that we can win the tournament in every match. Hamburg is a strong competitor, which had beaten us in the Champions League final some month ago. Additionally some more teams can be dangerous, if we are not aware.

Kiril Lazarov, player Barcelona:
We are satisfied with the match, but if we want to win the IHF Super Globe, we need to improve. And we want to win here - and we will play better tomorrow.

Ilja Puljevic, coach Al-Rayyan:
Our young players showed a great match, especially in the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately our best player Marko Bagaric was injured very early. When Barcelona had started to play their regular style, we lacked the experience. But for us it was great to play against Barcelona.

Vladimir Bozic, player Al-Rayyan:
We are far away from being able to beat Barcelona, as they are the best team of the world. We were really happy to have the chance to face them – and we enjoyed those first 20 minutes when we were on the same level.