Nantes 31-31 Barça: Last-minute draw

A 31-31 draw away to Nantes for the Barça handball team in the seventh matchday game of Machineseeker EHF Champions League group stage. Standout figures for the blaugranes were Dika Mem (9 goals) and Emil Nielsen (17 saves).

No goals at the start

Defence and keepers dominated the start of the game, Nielsen making three saves, and Barça didn't score until Wanne fired in from wide (0-1, min. 4). That opened up the flood gates and each side matched the other to make it 6-6 by the 10th minute. Carlos Ortega's side then made the most of Tournat's two minute suspension to go 6-9 (min. 15).

Nielsen and Mem

The blaugrana push continued, largely thanks to Dika Mem and Emil Nielsen. The number 10 scored five from seven attempts, one of which forced Nantes into a time out (12-16, min. 27). The blaugrana keeper was proving a nightmare for Nantes, saving 12 out of 26 shots he faced. Half-time score 14-17.

Nantes react

Although Barça came out very much in the game for the second half (16-21, min. 34), the French side reacted, a combination of a 4-0 and keeper Nacho Biosca brining it back to 21-22 (min. 40). Carlos Ortega then called a time out and made some adjustments. Frade broke the run, and Barça recovered the advantage (22-25, min. 42).

Tight at the finish

The game had become a case of you score I score. Nantes managed to impose their game and use their fans to come back and even go ahead with one minute to go (31-30). However, Barça had more to say, Janc scoring with 10 seconds left, before Ariño saw Pesic make a great save to keep the scoreline level (31-31).

So, Barça ultimately came away with a good point from the second-placed team. Next up, the derby away to Fraikin BM Granollers (Sunday, 7.00pm), and the next Champions League game is on 21 November, as Nantes visit the Palau Blaugrana for the return fixture.

GAME STATS

Nantes 31
Barça 31

Nantes: Biosca (-), Odriozola (-), Abdi (3), Tournat (1), Minne (7), Briet (5), Rivera (2) - starting seven - Pesic (-), Bos (6), Gaber (2), Noam (3), De La Breteche (1), Yoshida (-), Bonnefond (-), Avelange (-) and Ovnicek (1).

Barça: Nielsen (-), Janc (5), Mem (9), Petrus (-), Frade (5), Carlsbogard (-), Wanne (2) - starting seven - Pérez de Vargas (-), Ariño (1), N'Guessan (2), Aleix (3), Makuc (3), Palomino (-), Richardson (-), Cikusa (1) and Rodríguez Moreno (-).  

Partial scores: 1-2; 6-6; 6-9; 8-12; 11-13; 14-17 // 17-22; 22-23; 25-28; 26-29; 28-30; 31-31.

Referees: Ama Konjicanin and Dino Konjicanin.