Fuchse Berlin and FC Barcelona close to Final4 2025!
If it’s difficult to predict who will advance to the EHF Champions League Final4 in Cologne after the two first-leg quarterfinal matches played in Magdeburg and Nantes, but Füchse Berlin and FC Barcelona showed tonight they’re ready for Lanxess Arena!
The German vice-champions were knocked down in the first half, trailing 7:13 against Aalborg. Still, they staged a furious comeback in the second half to overwhelm their opponents, delivering a heavy defeat—37:29. Mathias Gidsel was brilliant, scoring 11 goals, supported by Tim Freihöfer with nine. At the same time, the rest of the team from Max Schmeling Arena also contributed significantly, including Dejan Milosavljev who recorded 12 saves towards the end. For the Danish team, Mads Hoxer scored seven goals, mostly in the first half when his team was dominant.
In Szeged, Barça took a big step towards yet another trip to Cologne to defend their title. The Hungarian side had a good start, but in the second half, Barça pulled away thanks to an unstoppable Dika Mem, who scored 10 goals.
OTP Bank-PICK Szeged–Barça 24–27 (10–9)
Szeged, PICK Arena, attendance: 7,993.
OTP Bank-PICK Szeged: Thulin – Sostaric 8/5, Abelvik 1, Kalaras, Mackovsek 2, Smárason 1, Frimmel 5, Bánhidi 1, Garciandia 2, Kukics 4, Bodó, Toto, Jelinic.
Barça: Nielsen – Janc 1, Richardson 2/2, Mem 10, Frade 6, N’Guessan 6, Wanne. Substitutes: F. Saric (GK), Thiagus Petrus, Carlsbogard 1, Makuc 1, P. Cikusa, A. Gómez, Arino.
