Barça 34-39 Veszprém: Cruel defeat in extra time

FC Barcelona have missed out on the chance to fight for the World Club Championship in Egypt after losing in extra time 39-34 to Hungarian side Veszprém at the semi final stage. After 60 minutes of regular time in which the blaugranes came close to taking the victory, their challenge ended in 10 extra minutes in the last four. 

A Classic on the world stage 

The rivalry between the blaugranes and the Hungarians is one of the biggest in European handball. On Tuesday it reached the world stage in the semi final of the World Club Championship. Furthermore, Veszprém coach is none other than former Barça boss Xavi Pascual with former blaugranes Ludovic Fabregas and Luka Cindric amongst their squad. 

On the back foot from the start 

Once the game was in motion then it became clear that Carlos Ortega's Barça side had a challenge on their hands. The Hungarians took an 8-5 lead early on and held it to 11-8 despite four goals from Barça Dika Mem. 

Danish goalkeeper Nielsen came on for the blaugranes and made four stops almost immediately to help whittle away the lead to 14-13. Veszprém keeper Corrales made an excellent save to prevent Barça equalising and at half Barça trailed by two at 15-13. 

Nail biting end and extra time 

After chasing the game for so long, Carlos Ortega's team finally brought themselves level at 25-25. Ariño then sent the blaugranes ahead at 27-26 for the first time in the game since the early minutes. A great goal from Dika Mem put Barça in sight of victory at 29-27 but the Hungarians rallied to make it 29-29. Aleix Gómez missed a penalty with 20 second remaining and the game went into extra time. 

Veszprém seemed to have an extra gear in the additional period and were soon back in front at 33-30. Barça threw players forward to try and reel their opponents back in but Veszprém took the win 39-34. Barça will now face at third and fourth place play off on Thursday against the loser of the semi final between Al Ahly and Magdeburg. 

MATCH STATS 

Barça: 34
Veszprém: 39

Barça: Gonzalo (0), Aleix (10), Mem (9), Richardson (1), Frade (3), Carlsbogard (2), Ariño (2) - starting seven - Nielsen (0), Janc (2), N'Guessan (2), Petrus (0), Makuc (-), Ortega (0), Palomino (-), Cikusa (3) and Javi Rodríguez (0).

Veszprém: Corrales (0), Remili (9), Descat (9), Ligetvari (0), Fabregas (5), Vailupau (2), Elderaa (7) - starting seven - Jensen (0), Grahovac (-), Vegh (-), Pechmalbec (0), Sandell (1), Elisson (0), Cindric (5), Casado (0) and Kosorotov (1).