FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.09.2007 20:07

Through to Champions League (37-28)

Anna Segura/Meritxell Infante

The FC Barcelona handball team have qualified for the Champions League after beating Braga 37-28 in the Palau Blaugrana in the second leg of the qualification round.

The side coached by Manolo Cadenas swept into the Champions League on Wednesday night with a convincing win against Braga, making it the team’s perfect home debut in the newly renovated Palau Blaugrana. It was also the first home game for new coach Manolo Cadenas.

Halftime draw

Barça went into the game with a two-goal lead from the first leg in Portugal (26-28). The game was finely balanced in the opening ten minutes with neither side able to open a sizeable gap on the scoreboard. Then Barça started to pull ahead but Braga reacted well and evened up the scores.

In the final ten minutes, Braga grew in confidence – especially in attack – while Barça failed to take their chances in attack. The fact was that Braga were creating danger in attack with relative ease and within just two minutes left on the clock had opened up a four-goal advantage (16-20). However, Barça hit back with two goals before the break to leave the tie evenly balanced.

Barça dominate

After the break, FC Barcelona looked a more determined side and achieved a partial score of 5-0 in the opening ten minutes to take a decisive lead in the tie. The efforts of the Portuguese players in the first half were clearly taking their toll and they were helpless to prevent the Barça onslaught. Barça dominated the second half from start to finish to win the match by a nine-goal margin.

FC Barcelona now go into the group phase of the Champions League.