SUMMARY: Aalborg, Magdeburg, Kiel and Barça make TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 line-up
The second leg of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League quarter-finals this week confirmed the line-up for the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 2024 in June. The first two matches, on Wednesday, saw Aalborg Håndbold defeat Telekom Veszprém HC 33:28 in the MOTW to become the first team to qualify for Cologne. SC Magdeburg followed hours later after edging out Industria Kielce in a shootout for an aggregate 53:52 win.
The two remaining quarter-finals took place on Thursday evening, with Kiel pulling off a miracle versus Montpellier, overturning a clear defeat in the first leg to join the line-up in Cologne. In the last of the quarter-finals, Barça secured a decisive aggregate victory over PSG thanks to the difference created in the first leg.
22:23
So we have our semi-finalists! THW Kiel, Barça, Aalborg and Magdeburg will fight for the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2023/24 trophy in Cologne on June 8 and 9.
22:17 RESULT | BARÇA VS PSG 32:31
62:53 ON AGGREGATE
+++ BARÇA QUALIFY FOR TRUCKSCOUT24 EHF FINAL4 +++
PSG fight to the end for the result in the match, but cannot put a serious dent in the aggregate result in the end. Barça complete the line-up for the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4.
22:03 53rd MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 29:26
Into the final minutes and Barça can all but book their flights to Cologne, as the situation is as certain as it can be before the final whistle.
But even Barça fans must pause a moment to consider the bittersweet moment we are witnessing: Three-time IHF World Player of the Year and record holder for the most titles won by any individual in handball, Nikola Karabatic, with what look to be his last minutes on the Champions League court.
Having played for Barça for two seasons and won the Champions League trophy with the side, it is fitting that Karabatic ends his career in the top flight at the iconic Palau Blaugrana. Prior to the match, which is Karabatic's 281st in the top flight, the Frenchman was honoured on court.
21:56 41st MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 26:24
Timeout called by Barça coach Carlos Ortega as PSG close the gap to two off a fast break from Wallem-Konrad Peleka. But the aggregate score line remains clear — 56:46.
On the individual scoring front, the match is being dominated by two sharpshooting French backs — Dika Mem and Elohim Prandi. Mem has contributed six for Barça, while Prandi has netted seven. Both have missed only one shot in the match.
Interestingly, the trip down the score sheet shows some striking similarities. Both teams' second top scorers are line players, with Luís Frade and Kamil Syprzak contributing five apiece for Barça and PSG, respectively. Next on each side is a wing and another French back, with Blaz Janc and Melvyn Richardson netting four each for Barça and Ferran Sole and Peleka with three apiece for PSG.
21:48 41st MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 23:20
PSG manage to pull the game back to closer as we hit 20 minutes left on the clock in this quarter-final — and the quarter-final stage of the 2023/24 season!
PSG's output is already clearly improved compared to the first leg, as they scored just 22 goals in the first leg and, barring a very slow end to the game, look poised to pass that in this match soon. The last time PSG scored only 22 goals in any competition was in September 2011, reflecting just what a challenging match the first leg was for the side.
It was also Barça's second biggest win ever against PSG, with the record coming 10 years ago, before the era of Nikola Karabatic with the team from the French capital.
21:37 31st MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 17:12
Back to it in Barcelona, where the home side have the ticket to Cologne well within reach as they lead by 13 goals on aggregate.
21:27
While we wait for the action to resume in Barcelona, check out the match highlights of THW Kiel's epic comeback versus MHB below.
21:22 HALF-TIME | BARÇA VS PSG 17:12
The score line grows towards half-time and Barça have a five-goal lead at the break, which means a 47:34 lead on aggregate — and the record title holders eye the ticket to Cologne.
21:11 24th MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 14:10
PSG had trouble containing Barça's fast breaks in the opening minutes, with five of the Spanish team's first nine goals coming off counter attacks. It's one key area that has made the score line, as PSG's defence stands up well against Barça's attack — except when Dika Mem has ideas like the one below.
In any case, Barça are steadily increasing their advantage and the situation looks ominous for PSG.
21:00 15th MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 9:7
Although the score was level just minutes ago, Barça are looking to the stronger side in this duel, as PSG have held the lead at only 0:1. On the other hand, Barça have been in front by two more than once, which also means they stay clear in front on aggregate.
Barça are the record participants and winners in Cologne, having made it to the final weekend 11 times and taken four trophies there. Overall, they have won 10 Champions League titles, making them the record holders in that list as well.
PSG target their seventh campaign at the EHF FINAL4, but have never won the trophy.
20:57 10th MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 6:6
Level in the match as we hit the 10-minute mark in Barcelona, which means Barça maintain their clear advantage on aggregate.
But as commentator Chris O'Reilly has just pointed out, the situation was similar in Kiel at the same time in the match, before the wild story unfolded.
20:45 1st MINUTE | BARÇA VS PSG 0:0
Throw-off in the last of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2023/24 quarter-finals! PSG start in attack.
20:37
And so Patrice Canayer has led Montpellier in his last Champions League match, after 30 seasons at the helm for the French team.
Joining the club in 1994, Canayer led them to two titles in the top flight, in 2003 and 2018, as well as 14 trophies in the French league.
20:35
Not much time to recover from the huge result we've just witnessed in Kiel before the next and last quarter-final begins in Barcelona, at 20:45 CEST.
PSG will be hoping to follow Kiel's example and recover from an eight-goal loss in the first leg, but playing in Palau Blaugrana, the French team cannot rely on the same support THW had.
We put our hearts in our hands today. We showed our fans in this iconic arena. We showed ourselves, that we are a team that can fight to the end. I'm so proud of my players. It wasn't the easiest week for me and my players, but we had the belief that we could do it. In the end, hard work pays off. We were on fire in the first few minutes, but Montpellier still took the lead. Nevertheless, we stayed calm. Thanks to my players, but also thanks to our fans who believed in us. It was a magical night in Kiel, even though Skippy [Elias á Skipagøtu] and Steffen [Weinhold] couldn't play. But we had this strong belief.
Nevertheless, I feel for Patrice [Canayer], a great idol for me as a coach. Congratulations to him for everything he has achieved in his unique career.
It was possible for us to lose today and still qualify for Cologne. Unfortunately, we didn't manage it. Kiel were physically and mentally stronger than us and handled the pressure better. At the end of 120 minutes, the last two will decide who progresses. Unfortunately, we went into today's game weakened because Diego Simonet was injured. We had problems finding solutions in attack. The defence was OK. We conceded 30 goals a week ago and 31 today. But scoring 21 goals in Kiel is not enough. We lacked the courage to switch play. We played with the handbrake on, and that's definitely a mistake in Kiel.
19:30 HALF-TIME | THW KIEL VS MONTPELLIER 17:12
Kiel have the chance to pull off a miracle comeback as they pull ahead to a five-goal lead in time for the half-time break.
19:20 24th MINUTE | THW KIEL VS MONTPELLIER 12:10
Kiel maintain a steady two- to three-goal lead that is promising but not enough to overturn the aggregate result so far — still seven goals in Montpellier's favour at present.
Backs Erik Johansson and Harald Reinkind are really shouldering the main responsibility in attack for THW, having combined for nine of the home team's goals. At the other end of the court, Samir Bellahcene has been replaced by Tomas Mrkva in THW's goal, who is the most successful keeper of the night so far.
19:10 16th MINUTE | THW KIEL VS MONTPELLIER 8:6
The first quarter comes to an end with Kiel having grabbed the upper hand. Through the first 13 minutes, MHB were always scoring first, including the first two goals of the game unanswered. But after the two consecutive strikes from Eric Johansson, who already counts four goals, Kiel took the lead for the first time, 7:5.
They even added one more to open a three-goal advantage. Could TWH be on track for the decisive victory needed?
19:02 11th MINUTE | THW KIEL VS MONTPELLIER 4:4
Bad news for Kiel as Petter Øverby receives a direct red card for a hit on Valentin Porte's face.
18:56 8th MINUTE | THW KIEL VS MONTPELLIER 3:3
All square as we near the 10th minute. Both teams have missed one chance from the penalty line, although neither of those chances were saves. Two reliable Swedes, Niclas Ekberg for Kiel and Lucas Pellas for MHB, threw the ball wide, which seems again to show the feeling of pressure for both sides — even though MHB have a clear lead on aggregate, they are very aware anything can happen.
18:48 1st MINUTE | THW KIEL VS MONTPELLIER 0:0
A slow start that reflects Kiel's desperate position, as the German side stand in defence. The match is paused for one clash and then another. Domagoj Duvnjak is sent off for two minutes just 41 seconds in.
The Croatian back is one player who has experienced the need for an otherworldly win and then actually pulling it off, and referred to it this week when asked about tonight's match against MHB. At the EHF EURO 2016, Croatia were hardly in the running for the semi-finals on the last main round day, needing to beat Poland by 11 goals in Krakow in order to make it. They won the game by 14.
18:46 1st MINUTE | THW KIEL VS MONTPELLIER 0:0
Starting whistle in Kiel! Montpellier open in attack.
18:38
We are moments away from the opening whistle in Kiel and it's time to join us on EHFTV!
18:30
Speaking of history, one player who once wore the jersey of all the clubs on court tonight will take the court in the second of tonight's quarter-final clashes, at 20:45 CEST: Nikola Karabatic. And it is a potentially enormous game for the legendary back, who has announced his retirement for the end of this summer after the home Olympic Games.
Should PSG lose, this will be Karabatic's last Champions League game — the end of an incredible career in the top flight. In fact, Karabatic's career includes three titles in the competition, won with none other than Montpellier (2003), Kiel (2007) and Barcelona (2015). Can he lead PSG to their first ever title and add another to his collection?
18:13
Let's dive in to this first encounter tonight, where Montpellier just have to hold off Kiel in order to clinch their place in Cologne. The French team took an astonishing 39:30 win in the first leg, so THW face the pressure of not only needing a win, but a very clear result in their favour.
Usually the history is more fun than relevant, but given Montpellier have had the same coach, Patrice Canayer, for 30 years, it does become a bit more interesting. MHB have not been in the habit of losing such an advantage and failing to progress. Their biggest first-leg defeats turned into aggregate losses were by three goals. The first was in 2007, but the second, in the European League in 2021, did include some players on the roster today. But that was three goals, and this is nine.
On the other hand, the biggest deficit Kiel have overturned was five goals.
In the overall mutual record, Montpellier have now won just three times against Kiel in 11 matches. Montpellier are aiming to return to the EHF FINAL4 for the second time, after they won the trophy on debut in 2018. Kiel target their eighth participation on the final weekend.
17:58
Almost time for action! Courtney Gahan here to take you through the games.
Tonight we will see the final two places at the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 decided. THW Kiel, Montpellier HB, Barça and PSG are in the race for them.
Throw-off is less than one hour away, and it's Germany we go to first, where Kiel host MHB and aim to pull off a mammouth comeback.
16:45
Good afternoon and welcome to the live blog for the last day of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2023/24 quarter-finals.
Yesterday, we had two extraordinary games, won narrowly by Aalborg and SC Magdeburg to take them through to the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 in Cologne. Today, two more teams will join them. Montpellier and Barça are well-poised to qualify, with leads of nine and eight goals respectively over THW Kiel and Paris Saint-Germain, but while Barça are at home tonight (20:45 CEST), Montpellier must face the cauldron in Kiel to maintain their lead.
EHF journalist Kevin Domas caught up with Montpellier goalkeeper Rémi Desbonnet after his stunning performance last week, and found out that the French club are definitely not counting their opponents out.
It was absolutely unbelievable. The atmosphere today was the best I ever played in this arena, it was amazing. To play this kind of games is so fun and an inspiration. It was a tight game, all the way to the penalties. And there we had two really, really good goalkeepers. It was fifty-fifty and we go through, it's amazing.
We saw two teams that were pretty even. We know that they have the mentality to never give up, we have shown that we have a similar mentality. To lose by one goal again is just heart-breaking. It was an amazing atmosphere, an amazing game, I think we have seen one of the best games in recent times.
22:44
Goosebump alarm! This is how it all ended in Magdeburg tonight:
22:36 RESULT | Magdeburg vs Kielce 27:25 (23:22, 11:13)
53:52 on aggregate (shootout 4:3)
+++ Magdeburg qualify for EHF FINAL4 +++
Magdeburg have done it! The titleholders get the chance to defend their title at LANXESS arena in June. The duels with Kielce couldn't have been closer, just like that final last year.
The first series of penalties in the shootout ends 3:3, the second series starts with a miss by Dylan Nahi, followed by a strike from Ómar Ingi Magnússon, which sets the arena on fire!
22:30
Incredible scenes in the GETEC Arena. Alex Dujshebaev can shoot Kielce into the EHF FINAL4 on the very last penalty, but Sergey Hernández keeps it out with his knee.
We just keep going on...
22:24
A shootout it is! The dramatic last minute does not bring a winner, despite chances for Michael Damgaard and Dani Dujshebaev, as the tie is locked at 49:49.
What a thriller here in Magdeburg!
22:16
What a tantalising game in Magdeburg! The finalists from last year giving it their everything to return to the LANXESS arena. This one is really going down to the wire, with Magdeburg leading 23:22, and the tie all level.
22:10
Team timeout Magdeburg. We are ready for the closing five minutes with the defending champions leading 22:21. It this one-goal margin stands at the final buzzer, we go to a penalty shootout...
22:04
Back-to-back suspensions for Magdeburg but goalkeeper Sergey Hernández keeps them in the race with a couple of terrific saves. His save rate is up to over 40 for the night!
21:53
Magdeburg have quickly caught up with Kielce, but not everything goes past Andi Wolf:
21:45
Six minutes into the second half and we are all square again: 15:14 for Magdeburg, wiping out that one-goal deficit from the first leg. Bennet Wiegert certainly got his players in the right mood again during the break.
21:33
And with the players in Magdeburg in the dressing rooms preparing for the all-decisive second half, let's have a look at the highlights of the MOTW earlier tonight, which earned Aalborg their ticket to Cologne:
21:29
Here is that last-second attempt from Igor Karacic. How important can that goal be for this tie?
21:23 HALF-TIME | Magdeburg vs Kielce 11:13
A last-second strike by Igor Karacic earns Kielce a two-goal lead tonight, and a three-goal lead overall, against the defending champions. Magdeburg seemed on course to get grip on this match after their rather slow start, but Kielce finish the half on a 4:1 run.
What a second half do we have in prospect here!
21:06
Just over a quarter into tonight's second match and Kielce lead in Magdeburg by two goals (9:7), which makes the difference three overall. Seems we are in for another close finish here.
20:58
Let's hear some first reactions after tonight's MOTW in Aalborg:
Just amazing! This is what we fought for the whole season, just wonderful the feeling right now. I don't think I have any expectations for Cologne, it's my first time and it's always been a dream of mine, so I'm really happy to be able to play there now.
Up until this moment we had a very good season. Today we also started very well, 7:4 we were leading, but some missed shots and (goalkeeper Niklas) Landin on the other side... especially the first half he was amazing. We had situations to come back in the match but with the fast breaks, we lost the balls, and in the end it went like this.
20:29
Two players have really stepped up to the task for Aalborg tonight: Mads Hoxer is awarded the Player of the Match trophy after his nine-goal outing, but Niklas Landing has been instrumental, too, not just for thius crucial save:
20:25 RESULT | Aalborg vs Veszprém 33:28 (18:14)
60:64 on aggregate
+++ Aalborg qualify for EHF FINAL4 +++
Aalborg are back at the EHF FINAL4! They are the first team through after an impressive display against Veszprém in the MOTW, 33:28, for a deserved four-goal win overall.
And what a prospect for Mikkel Hansen, who will bow out of European club handball with one more appearance in Cologne. Class stuff!
20:23
Mikkel Hansen does it! He converts a penalty for 32:28 with one minute left. That should be it for Aalborg: they go to Cologne, and so does Hansen one more time before retiring.
20:16
Mads Hoxer with his ninth of the evening and Aalborg go 31:28 up! That's two goals overall... The clock is ticking, but we know what happened in Veszprém last week.
20:13
Into the last five minutes and Aalborg lead Veszprém by two goals on aggregate. Are we going to see the Danish side return to Cologne for the second time after 2021?!
20:06
Team timeout Veszprém! They are close to getting the tie level again, but then miss a penalty and a wing shot, as Aalborg extend their lead to three on aggregate again. Can Momir Ilic give his players the right instructions to turn things around in the last 10 minutes – just like last week?
20:01
Goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales steps it up! He has raised his save percentage to over 30 now:
19:57
We are in for a tantalising last quarter of this MOTW! Veszprém have reduced the gap to two for the night (25:23), and just one overall. This is anybody's game!
19:51
And talking about Mikkel Hansen, he hits his first goal from the night in the top right corner above Rodrigo Corrales to put Aalborg 23:19 up against Veszprém. That equals a three-goal aggregate lead for the hosts from Denmark.
19:43
We haven't seen much from Mikkel Hansen yet as Aalborg have been using their star sparingly so far. But Hansen is on early in the second half in what could be his last ever EHF Champions League match, as he approaches his retirement. For now, it looks good we might see Hansen for two more matches – in Cologne on 8 and 9 June...
19:36
18:14 is the biggest half-time lead Aalborg have ever had in a home match against Veszprém. The previous best mark was 18:16 from their 2020/21 group phase duel. And just for a warning: Veszprém ended up winning that match 33:27.
19:32
May we introduce to you, Thomas 'Cartwheel' Arnoldsen:
19:23 HALF-TIME | Aalborg vs Veszprém 18:14
Well done Aalborg, who seem unimpressed by what happened last week and take another substantial half-time lead over Veszprém and they lead by three on aggregate now.
Right back Mads Hoxer with five goals once again their leading scorer, but Niklas Landin with seven saves (33.3%) just as important, dragging down Veszprém's attack efficiency to a disappointing 38%:
19:18
Make that 16:12! Aalborg just keep going and Thomas Arnoldsen and Mads Hoxer are both on four for the night already.
But then, they led by five at half-time last week, so don't count out Veszprém by any means.
19:14
It is 14:11 to Aalborg, who lead Veszprém now by two on aggregate. Remember, just over 10 minutes ago, they were four down overall. This MOTW is truly living up to its billing!
19:04
Wow, that is how quickly things can change in a quarter-final! Ludovic Fabregas gets a two-minute suspension and that is where Aalborg start their 4:0 run for 8:7, going level on aggregate. Great stuff!
18:58
Worrying early signs for coach Stefan Madsen as he sees his Aalborg trail by three goals (7:4) after 10 minutes tonight, and by four overall.
18:54
Thomas Arnoldsen was one of the leading players for Aalborg last week, will he be important again tonight?
18:50
Interesting opening minutes in Aalborg, as Veszprém take an early 2:1 lead but then see Mikita Vailupau having his penalty saved by Niklas Landin. The arena in Aalborg surely likes that one!
