03.10.2010 18:24

Thrilling last gasp draw (28-28)

Llorenç Tarrés

Barça Borges took a valuable point from their visit to reigning champions Kiel with a last gasp equaliser to round of a heroic second half comeback.

Keepers Thierry Omeyer and Daniel Saric put in stellar performances for their teams and in truth neither deserved to be on the losing side. Barça showed great character in coming back in the second half to take a point in the second game of the Champions League group stage.

Determination

Two of the continent’s top teams, both accustomed to seeing off their rivals with fast and incisive counters, clashed in just the second game of the Champions League group and it was Barça’s steely defence and determination, encapsulated by Saric, that saw Kiel restricted to just two goals in the first ten minutes For the Germans, Omeyer was also on top form and made six great stops in the first five minutes.

Kiel cruise into lead

After 15 minutes the score was 3-4, but the teams were now beginning to get their attacks going with Jicha, Jerome and Lundström all taking the hosts to a 14-10 half time lead. Even though Kiel stretched that to five goals in the second half, Barça refused to knuckle down and gradually they crept back thanks to their gritty determination, some fine shooting and an inspired Saric, who overtook Omeyer in the number of saves he made.

Fight back

Barça Borges came back to 23-20, 24-22 and then 24-23 before Ugalde, one of the stars of the game, finally put them back on even terms. Jicha and Palmarsson hit back for Kiel and Jicha made it 28-27 with just 20 seconds left, only for Rocas to score a dramatic equaliser coming in from the wing. The celebrations of the Barça players after the game was a s much for the point as for the way in which they’d fought back and earned it.