Barcelona overwhelms Füchse Berlin 37-34 to secure a record-extending 13th EHF Champions League handball title

Early dominance

Barcelona took control from the opening minutes at the Lanxess Arena, quickly building a two- to three-goal lead behind a fluid attack and the goalkeeping of Emil Nielsen. The Danish shot-stopper produced eight saves in the first half alone, neutralizing Berlin's wing threats and allowing the Catalan side to reach the interval ahead 20-16. Domen Makuc and Aleix Gómez led the scoring early, each with four goals before the break.

Berlin pressure and red-card drama

The German champions, powered by the world's best handball player Mathias Gidsel, surged after halftime with two quick goals from Lasse Andersson and Gidsel, cutting the deficit to 20-18. Barcelona responded firmly as Blaz Janc and Luís Frade stretched the lead to six at 25-19 and later 26-20. A turning point came when French pivot Ludovic Fabregas was sent off for a dangerous action. Berlin capitalized and Gidsel, initially erratic, found his rhythm, while Tim Freihöfer kept scoring. By the 53rd minute, the gap had shrunk to 32-30 and the crowd sensed an upset.

The title seemed in danger until the referees, after video review, showed a matching red card to Berlin's Swedish defender Max Darj for a similar block, stemming the momentum.

Janc, Frade and a decisive steal

With the game in the balance, Slovenian right back Blaz Janc (6 goals, 4 assists) and Portuguese pivot Luís Frade (7 goals at 100% shooting) carried the Barcelona offense. A pivotal moment arrived in the 58th minute when Djordje Cikusa intercepted a pass from Gidsel near the Berlin goal and scored, restoring a three-goal cushion at 36-33. Nielsen followed with a critical save, effectively sealing the triumph.

Fourth European crown for French trio

The victory marks the fourth Champions League title for Dika Mem, Timothey N'Guessan, and Ludovic Fabregas, who join Thierry Omeyer, Didier Dinart, and Melvyn Richardson as the only French players with four European club handball titles. For Gidsel, the wait for a club-level continental trophy continues despite his 8 goals in the final.

A half-century of European glory

With this handball success, FC Barcelona reaches an aggregate of 50 European trophies across its professional sections: roller hockey (22), basketball (29), men's football (5), women's football (4), futsal (4), and now handball (13). President Joan Laporta and interim vice-president Rafa Yuste celebrated on the court alongside coach Carlos Ortega, who won his third Champions League in five seasons.