Barça's Thirteenth Crown
Barça Secures 13th European Handball Cup, Extending Dominance with Victory Over Füchse
Anonymous
FC Barcelona's handball team conquered its 13th European Champions League title on June 14, 2026, beating Füchse Berlin 37-34 in the final at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne. The win also marked the club's 50th European Cup across all its sports sections — a milestone that moved president Joan Laporta to tears in the stands. Diario de Ibiza reported that Nielsen, Makuc, Frade, and Janc were the standout performers in a commanding Barça display.
Barça led 20-16 at halftime and never let Berlin back into the game. The victory caps what Levante EMV described as a "perfect season" for the club — one in which the team won every trophy on offer.
Nielsen and Frade Dismantle Füchse Berlin's Title Bid
Goalkeeper Emil Nielsen was the wall Füchse Berlin could not break. He made 14 saves at a 34% efficiency rate, repeatedly denying world-class striker Mathias Gidsel. Gidsel finished with 8 goals but was neutralised for long stretches, especially in the first half. According to La Opinión de Málaga, this was Nielsen's final match for the club — making it a golden farewell.
At the other end, pivot Luís Frade was unstoppable. He scored 7 goals from 7 attempts — a perfect shooting night. Domen Makuc added 5 goals and orchestrated Barça's attack from the center back position. Makuc was named the Final Four MVP. Like Nielsen, it was also his last game in a Barça shirt. El Periódico de Aragón noted that Barça converted 71% of their shots compared to Füchse's 64%.
Red Cards and Drama Couldn't Stop Barça's March to Glory
The match had a flashpoint in the 45th minute. Barça defender Ludovic Fabregas was sent off with a red card, threatening to unravel Barça's lead. Berlin smelled blood and pushed hard. But eight minutes later, Füchse captain Max Darj also received a red card. That kill Füchse Berlin's momentum completely. Diario de Mallorca reported that Barça held firm and closed out the game at 37-34.
Aleix Gómez also wrote his name into the history books during the Final Four. He became the first player ever to score 100 goals in Final Four history, according to La Opinión de Zamora. Barça's depth and consistency proved too much for the Germans across the full 60 minutes.
Laporta's Tears and the Meaning of 50 European Cups
When the final whistle blew, cameras found Barça president Joan Laporta weeping in the stands. He later said, "We have reached 50 European Cups… we are unique in the world." The moment carried extra weight. The football section has faced intense financial pressure in recent years. This handball triumph gave the club a symbolic lift at a difficult time, according to La Opinión de A Coruña.
The 50 European Cups are spread across six sports sections. Roller hockey leads the count with 22 titles. Handball now has 13. Men's football has 5. Women's football, futsal, and basketball make up the rest. No other sports club in the world has reached this number across so many disciplines, according to Información.
Ortega's Coaching Genius and What Comes Next for Barça
Coach Carlos Ortega now has 9 European Cups to his name — 6 as a player and 3 as a head coach. He built a title-winning team in under a year after a massive 2025 summer overhaul that saw 10 players leave and 8 arrive. El Día called the rebuild remarkable, noting that integrating eight new signings into a championship system so quickly is almost unheard of in elite handball.
But the club now faces a new challenge. Nielsen and Makuc — two of the team's biggest stars — are both leaving. Finding a goalkeeper of Nielsen's quality will be difficult. LNE reported that the club is expected to announce a high-profile replacement in the coming weeks. Barça has proven it can rebuild fast. But replacing a man who just produced a historic farewell will take time.
Sentiment
NeutralNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
15
Articles
0
Reach
15
A
AnonymousAuthor
