When worlds collide: Barcelona vs. Kiel

Several huge battles happen during a VELUX EHF Champions League season, and F.C. Barcelona Borges against THW Kiel is one of the biggest. Palau Blaugrana will host next Sunday’s clash, a re-run of the first final of EHF Final4. Barcelona desperately need the points after the draw against Kielce, and Kiel will arrive in Spain with some key players injured. Juanín Garcia, one of the most experienced players on the host’s side has played in several crucial clashes.

ehfCL.com: Barcelona versus Kiel is on the schedule again. Is it always a "thriller"?

Juanín Garcia: Of course, it’s always special and different. We are fighting for two points, two very important points.

Kiel are the current champions and are always at the top, fighting for titles. Last year they beat us in the final and we have a feeling of revenge inside us, as we can never forget that result.

We hope to get the victory we need and with it, move one step closer to qualifying for the next round.

ehfCL.com: Kiel have a long list of injured players. Will this be decisive for the outcome of the match?

Juanín Garcia: I don’t think so. They are a very strong team, and have a lot of quality players.

All of their squad play at the top level, and their team problems will have the effect of motivating their other ‘fringe’ players.

ehfCL.com: Jérôme Fernandez is a good example of this competitive group…

Juanín Garcia: Yes, indeed. He’s a marvelous player, a great person and a very good professional. I spent three years with him in Barcelona and I’m sure that he will enjoy the return to Palau. I wish the best for him at his new team Kiel.

ehfCL.com: How important is the Palau Hall for hosting these kinds of games?

Juanín Garcia: I hope to see a full arena ready to support us. They always help us a lot with their cheering, and they’re an important part of the Barcelona family.

We enjoyed our last game here against Ciudad Real in the Asobal League, when our fans drove us to victory.

ehfCL.com: Barcelona have dropped some important points against Chambery and Kielce. What is the reason for such failures?

Juanín Garcia: These games were hard for us. The draw in Kiel was a good result and you can lose a match in Germany against Rhein-Neckar because they are a very strong team.

We felt very sad after the defeat in Chambery and the draw at home against Kielce.

We have to learn from these matches, as there is no room for more mistakes if we want to be in the next round.

ehfCL.com: I suppose it’s not a surprise to drop points occasionally, as the group contains some very strong teams?

Juanín Garcia: The group is extremely tough.

There are the two German teams plus Chambery, Celje and Kielce. We won in Poland by a big margin, but the Polish team has shown that it’s a very good team with some good results, including the draw in Barcelona.

They have some experienced players and know how to play in difficult matches.

ehfCL.com: You played fewer minutes than usual last season. How do you feel this season?

Juanín Garcia: I’m not a 20-year-old boy any more, but I feel very well in the team. I’m training hard and I still enjoy handball.

Age is quite important, but not critical. I’m highly motivated to play for Barcelona and to help my team to reach its objectives.

The VELUX EHF Men's Champions League Group A game F.C. Barcelona Borges (ESP) VS. THW Kiel (GER)  on Sunday 5 December 2010 at 17:15 hrs (local time) is our „Match of the Week" and will be broadcast live on our free-of-charge web stream on ehfTV.com, including English commentary by Tom O'Brannagain.