Arnoldsen steers Aalborg to MOTW win, Barça victorious in Norway
The 2024/25 season of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League threw-off in Scandinavia – with different outcomes for the hosts - while Aalborg Handbold won the MOTW against HBC Nantes clearly 38:31 thanks to a splendid outing from Olympic champion Thomas Arnoldsen, Kolstad Handball lost 25:30 at home against defending champions Barça.
Later on, Sporting CP celebrated a victorious comeback to the EHF CL, beating Orlen Wisla Plock 34:29, with EHF EURO top scorer Martim Costa shining bright. Paris Saint-Germain Handball once again relied on last season’s Champions League top scorer Kamil Syprzak, taking the points against HC Eurofarm Pelister with 31:29.
I think we had a very good game in defense as we prepared real well overall. In attack, we were able to create 1-on-1 opportunities that are always easier to find a way through to the net from. Important win at the start of the new season, and we'd like to repeat it in Denmark in the next round.
We were aware of their quality going into the game, but despite that I feel like they were aa better team out there today taking a well-deserved win in the end. When you allow your opponents to score 34, you've got to be sure to have amazing attack as well if you want to win the game. Defense was not working today, and that way it is impossible to win the game. We've got to find ways to improve ahead of our home opener in the next round.
We were looking really well throughout the first three quarters of the game. We've got to be able to keep that lead safe not bringing the match to a point where we are close to letting it all go to waste. Atmosphere was once again amazing, and I'm really looking forward to it throughout the season.
I am proud of my team for what they did here today. We agreed prior to the game to give it everything we've got and fight until the end. We showed character and quality, although PSG's experience decided the encounter in the end. We are really proud to present Bitola.
We have to be really satisfied both with the outcome and the way we performed today. We entered the match knowing how dangerous Nantes can be, but I feel like we really showed the quality that we have.
Aalborg played really well tonight. I believe they are one of the best teams in Europe, as well as one of the favorites to go all the way this season. We played a solid first half, but then committed too many mistakes in the second allowing Aalborg to widen the gap scoring easy goals which decided the encounter.
Tough start to the game with Barca proving to be a very strong opponent from the get-go. In the second half we were able to catch the right rhythm and cut the gap to only three goals, but unfortunately we did not manage to keep it that way allowing Barca to score a couple of easy goals. Great evening all in all with our amazing fans who were really pushing us throughout the entire game.
It was a pleasure to play in this arena today because Norwegian fans really love and understand the game of handball. We opened the match well slowing their counter-attacks which we were aware is one of their strongest weapons. Even when they managed to find a way through our defense - Emil was there to deny them. Kolstad played better in the second, but we did not lose control of the game.
