Magdeburg 28-23 Barça: Defeat against old enemy

First loss of the season for FC Barcelona in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League as Carlos Ortega's side went down to a 28-23 defeat away at German side Magdeburg. The blaugranes began brightly and dominated the early stages of the clash but little by little the home side came back into the game and in the second half Magdeburg eased away to take the win. 

The efforts of Richardson and N'Guessan in the opening minutes gave rise to hope for the blaugranes as they took a five goal lead at 10-5 with 14 minutes gone. Magdeburg keeper Sergey Hernández was the star man for the home side, preventing Carlos Ortega's team from building an even bigger advantage. 

Home side turn around 

In the GETEC Arena the game continued to be a close affair but the home side began to exert control and after closing the lead of Barça to 10-8, Magdeburg turned it around to take a 14-13 advantage into the dressing room at half time. 

In the second half the Germans moved into a two goal lead before Barça struck back to level it up at 16-16. Magdeburg keeper Hernández kept up his excellent form of the first half and helped his side into a 3 goal lead with nine minutes to go. Magdeburg extended that lead in the final minutes despite the best efforts of Barça keeper Nielsen to take a 28-23 win and inflict on the blaugranes their first defeat in Europe this season. 

MATCH STATS

Magdeburg, 28
Barça, 23

Magdeburg: Sergey Hernández (-), Magnusson (8), Jensen (2), Serradilla (1), Bergendahl (-), Mertens (2) and Pettersson (-) -starting seven- Kristjansson (5), Zehnder (7), Zechel (1) and Lagergren (2)
Barça: P. De Vargas (-), Janc (3), Richardson (4), Cikusa (2), Frade (4), N'Guessan (3) and Ariño (1) -starting seven- Nielsen (-), Petrus (-), Carlsbogard (), Wanne (1), Javi Rodriguez (4), Makuc (1), Jan Blas () and Bazán (-)