Al-Ahly 32-29 Barça: Fourth place in the end

Fourth place for FC Barcelona at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship, as Carlos Ortega's side were unable to overcome Al Ahly (32-29). The host team put in a very professional performance, with their offensive effectiveness putting the blaugrana defence under pressure throughout the game.

Rowing against the tide

This third place game was very different to the group stage match when Barça dominated, with Al Ahly coming out on top this time.

The host team made the most of their favorable conditions and started the game energetically. The Egyptian side's offensive approach paid dividends in terms of goals. The blaugranes' defence found it difficult to diminish their effectiveness and by the 10th minute the score was already 8-4.

Al Ahly's attack was ably supported by a great performance by their keeper, which enabled the gap to grow to 13-6 as the first half was drawing to a close.

Comeback attempt

However, Barça looked more lively right before the end of the first half, and Carlos Ortega's side managed to reduce the deficit to just 3 goals at the break.

Both sides strove to get the win after the restart, but the Egyptian side had the edge. Barça improved as the game went on, but Al Ahly made the most of their opportunities to keep the blaugranes at bay and to maintain their lead throughout the second half. Final score 32-29.

GAME STATS

Al-Ahly 32
Barça 29

Al-Ahly: Ramadan, Ahmed, Khairi, Dahroug, El Masry, Magdy, Ibrqahim - starting seven - Nabil, Ashour, Abdou, Rashid,  Lashien, Saifeldenn, Adel.
Barça: D.Mem, Nielsen, Ariño, Janc, N'Guessan, Makuc, Frade - starting seven - Rodriguez, Cikusa Richardson, Palomino, Aleix, Carlsbogard

Partial scores: 1-1, 6-4, 11-5, 13-7, 16-10, 18-15 (halftime), 20-18, 24-22, 25-23, 28-24, 30-27, 32-29 (final)

Referees: Konjicanin Amar (BIH) - Konjicanin Dino (BIH)