PSG 22-30 Barça: Important win

What an important win, Barça overcoming PSG 22-30 in Paris in the first leg of this Machineseeker EHF Champions League quarter-final. Dika Mem top scored in a game that home side began well, but Carlos Ortega's side came through in the second half to claim a key victory on the road to the final in Cologne.

Paris take lead after even start

PSG keeper Palicka put up stern resistance to the blaugranes in the early part of the game, which was intense from the off. Carlos Ortega's side first took the lead in the 9th minute, but PSG quickly came back and went +3.

Dika Mem led from the front and one of the substitutes Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas helped dampen the home side's thrust, but work still to be done as PSG led 14-11 at half-time.

More Palicka but Barça come through

No change after the break as Palicka's saves enabled PSG to open up their biggest lead of the match with 15-11. Then Dika Mem broke the mini blaugrana goal drought since the restart and some superb defence saw a 1-8 run move Barça 16-19 ahead (min 43). 

Moment seized

The blaugranes were now playing smart handball, with Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas, Richardson, Cikusa, Ariño and Frade all playing their part in this turnaround. Superb defensive action saw Barça put up a +6, and despite three goals from the hosts, another flurry of goals confirmed this important 22-30 win.

All signs positive for the blaugranes after this first leg, with the decisive second leg of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League quarter-final on May 2 in Barcelona, at what is likely to be a fervent Palau Blaugrana. 

MATCH STATS

PSG 22
Barça 30

PSG: Palicka (-), Steins (3), Syprzak (7), Tønnesen (4), Ferran Sole (4), Peleka (1) y Prandi () - starting seven - Green (-), Luka Karabatic (-), Nikola Karabatic (-), Ntanzi (1), Gibelin (-), Plantin (-), Holm (1), Keita (1)
Barça: Nielsen (-), Aleix (1), Dika Mem (7), Frade (6), Thiagus Petrus (), Carlsbogard (2) y Ariño (3) - starting seven - Gonazlo Pérez de Vargas (), Richardson (6), Janc (-), N'Guessan (1), Cikusa (4), Javi Rodríguez (1), Pol Valera (-)

Partial scores: 2-2; 4-4; 7-6; 11-8; 12-10; 14-11 // 15-12; 16-17; 17-21; 19-24; 22-25; 22-30

Referees: Robert Schulze and Tobias Tönnies