In a match that resembled handball due to the large number of goals, Novi Beograd was defeated away from home by Barceloneta 19:16 (6:6, 4:3, 4:4, 5:3), in the second round match of the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Two and a half minutes before the end, the Belgrade team tied the score at 16:16 through the excellent Gladović, with two players more, and that was the 14th tie in the match. Until then, there had only been one plus two on both sides. Novi Beograd led at the beginning 2:0, Barceloneta in the last part 15:13.
After the aforementioned goal by Gladović, who scored his fourth goal of the match, the brilliant Sanauja gave the home team the lead, and then Vigvari took advantage of Pljevančić’s dismissal 82 seconds before the end. Novi Beograd did not use any more players, so in the final moments Vigvari was again effective for the final triumph.
The first quarter with six goals on both sides announced what kind of match it would be. The Serbian team led 2:0, 3:2 and 9:8. The rest of the time, the home team had a minimal advantage in goal difference until the very end. Novi Beograd’s performance was as good as it was with one more player, but it was just as bad with one less player. Three home players did not finish the match, namely Pljevančić, Janković, Lukić and Dimitrijević. Gladović played without a miss, the fighting spirit and desire were on the level and it is a pity that there was no strength to make the home team even more nervous and perhaps lose the match.
According to many, the best goalkeepers of the European Championship, Aguirre Rubio and Milan Glušac, did not have their day. They were at 25 percent defense. The attacks were excellent at over 60 percent. Next Tuesday, Novi Beograd will host Brescia while Barceloneta will host Olympiacos.
Barceloneta – Novi Beograd 19:16 (6:6, 4:3, 4:4, 5:3)
Referees: Zwart (Netherlands) and Ome (Germany). Player more: Barceloneta 17 (11), Novi Beograd 22 (12). Peterci: Barceloneta 2 (2).
Barceloneta: Aguire Rubio, Munariz 4, Veloto 2, Vals, Sanauja 6, Echenike 1, J. Bustos, Burian 1, Tahul 2, Vigvari 3, Biel Lara, A. Bustos, Delmas, Gomila.
New Belgrade: Glušac, Pljevančić 2, Ukropina 2, Gladović 4, Ćuk 1, Janković, Urošević 1, Dimitrijević, Perković, Martinović 2, Lukić 2, Pješivac 2, Gavrilović, Milojević 1.
In the second match in the group, Olympiacos defeated Brescia 14:11, so now Barceloneta has six points, Olympiacos and Novi Beograd three each, and Brescia has no points.
