SUMMARY: Barça return to the podium; Richardson named MVP
Barça secured the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2023/24 title after a thrilling final where the smallest of margins decided the victors, as it came down to a free throw after the buzzer, which saw Mikkel Hansen's shot hit the crossbar. Barça won the game by one goal, 31:30, narrowly avoiding overtime.
Earlier on Sunday, THW Kiel beat Magdeburg to claim third place at the TruckScout24 EHF FINA4 2024.
22:24
As Barça celebrate their trophy, the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2023/24 is officially done and dusted! And that brings us to the end of the live blog coverage of today's finals. What a day it was, doing full justice to yet another thrilling season.
I leave you with Barça's trophy moment. See you next season!
22:19
So Mikkel Hansen's club handball career ends without the iconic back winning the EHF Champions League, but he could not have come closer — although that is probably little solace for the three-time world champion.
But Hansen leaves a strong legacy at Aalborg, where his teammates are determined to return and win the trophy.
"Three years ago, we won the semi-final against the best team in Europe then, Paris, and our performance in the final was not even embarrassing — it was worse. We can be proud of what we showed today: We showed that we gained a lot of maturity, a lot of strength. It hurts more today than it did three years ago, but we made a promise to each other. We will come back here and we will win the final," said Henrik Møllgaard after the final, before commenting on what he thought his side missed to win the title:
"A couple of bounced balls, a couple of missed shots, the last one hitting the bar and not being in the goal. You know what I mean? Nothing, basically. They were ahead by three, and then we came back and we had this possibility right at the end. The scenario hurts a lot more because we feel like we had the possibility to win. It f***ing hurts right now, but we’ll be back. That’s what I said to the guys. That’s what I said to everyone at the end."
22:13
27 years old and already a three-time EHF Champions League winner with two different clubs — Melvyn Richardson added another trophy to his cabinet on Sunday night: The TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 2024 MVP award. The right back scored 15 goals over the weekend and was key for Barça offensively.
Read the feature on Richardson below.
20:36
Speaking of individual achievements, as Barça claimed their 11th title, two players celebrated their fifth trophies won in Cologne and coach Carlos Ortega set a new record for most Chamipons League wins. Ortega's second victory as a coach means he has now won eight trophies overall, after taking six as a player. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Perez de Vargas and Aitor Ariño both count five trophies won at the EHF FINAL4.
20:33
Dika Mem was chasing Kamil Syprzak over the weekend but could not catch the PSG line player, which means Syprzak took his first top scorer title in the EHF Champions League. He is the first line player to do so and the first Pole. Read the feature on the special individual achievement below!
It came down to one last action. It’s hard to say. We were always on top. We were ahead by three in the last quarter but we didn’t manage to put the nail in the coffin. I think we deserve it, but it’s hard to point the finger at one thing at which we were really better than them. Perhaps the fact that we had an easier semi-final compared to them helped us at the end.
We will come back here, and we will win gold. We saw how good we are, with a lot of young players, and that gives even more hope for the future. Right now, we are more disappointed than ever, but if you had told us at the start of the season we would lose the whole Champions League by one goal, we would have signed the bill. It was an amazing game, between two amazing teams, and it’s just too bad that we are on the wrong side of the podium.
Handball has brought me amazing experiences, great teammates. The road has been worth it. It would not make anything different if I had the possibility and, come the end of my career, I will feel privileged, without a doubt. But it is time to go back home.
And looking at things right now, there is a chance that I will have the opportunity to win the EHF Champions League playing in Denmark. Because the seeds have been sowed in Aalborg, there is that possibility — if I do not manage to do it before, of course.
I will never stop chasing that dream. The dream I had in my back garden when I was playing with my sisters and dreaming of being the best player in the world.
Sometimes dreams come true.
We expected a tight contest between Barça and Aalborg and, for now, this is exactly what the spectators in the LANXESS arena get. While Barça might have had the upper hand for the first 20 minutes, Aalborg have always been in touch. And as soon as the Spanish team let their guard down, Mikkel Hansen and his teammates used the opportunity to score. Right now, it is really hard to predict who is going to take the trophy, and this is why this game is so exciting!Kevin DomasEHF journalist
18:41 HALF-TIME | AALBORG VS BARÇA 15:15
Aalborg take the lead for the first time courtesy of Mads Hoxer, with his third goal, but Barça answer before the break and we go to half-time all sqaure in the trophy game.
18:37 28th MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 14:14
Barça are having some trouble against Denmark's defence, having to work very hard for their chances. On this occasion, they lose the ball and are punished with a fast break from Kristian Bjørnsen, which brings us all square again as half-time looms.
18:32 24th MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 11:12
With no save from Emil Nielsen for almost 10 minutes, Barça replace the Dane with Gonzalo Perez de Vargas. Meanwhile, Niklas Landin has added another save and Dika Mem another goal. The two are really leading for their sides, although it is all-round a cracking match that is fully delivering everything a final should be.
18:26 20th MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 8:10
Timeout Aalborg as Barça reopen a two-goal lead. All but one of Barça's goals so far have come from the back court, while Aalborg have scored two off the wing (from Sebastian Barthold) and line (Rene Antonsen).
18:22 17th MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 8:8
Aalborg score two in a row to equalise the game again, helped to their chances by Niklas Landin's continued superb form. Landin has already stopped six balls and holds a save rate of 40 per cent, just edging his national teammate Emil Nielsen, who has five stops at a rate of 38.46 per cent.
18:16 12th MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 6:8
Three saves Niklas Landin; four Emil Nielsen. The Danish goalkeeper battle is everything we hoped it would be. Landin did not deliver his best until moneytime in the semi-final on Saturday, but has a tendency to show up big time after a disappointing game — and is clearly doing that today.
18:13 9th MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 3:6
Dika Mem nets what is already his third goal, as the right back has clearly been the most influential player early in this final.
Mem is the closest to passing PSG's Kamil Syprzak on the season's top scorer chart, and now needs 11 goals to do it. It seemed a big task ahead of the final, but Mem is on absolute fire so the chance suddenly seems to be there for the French player to do it.
That said, he made clear — as all players do — that the trophy is far more important.
18:11 7th MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 2:4
Barça's Emil Nielsen and Aalborg's Niklas Landin both record their first saves of the final, as Barça edge ahead by two in the early minutes in a fiery atmosphere in LANXESS arena. But Landin adds another save to his tally off a penalty versus Aleix Gomez, creating the chance for Aalborg to move ahead.
Mikkel Hansen takes his first steps on the court and Aleks Vlah heads to the bench.
18:05 3rd MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 1:2
After his huge performance in the semi-final, Emil Nielsen starts in goal for Barça. In attack, Dika Mem has already scored his second — another great outside jump shot essentially impossible for Niklas Landin, in Aalborg's goal, to stop.
Aalborg's first goal also came courtesy of a back — Thomas Arnoldsen on a breakthrough.
18:04 2nd MINUTE | AALBORG VS BARÇA 0:1
The final is underway! Barça start in attack, with captain Dika Mem netting the first goal of the game — a long-range scorcher right into the top corner.
17:59
Barça are on court and we are about to hear the anthem of the EHF Champions League, before the players complete some last sprints and the teams have a final huddle. Then the final begins!
17:57
Aalborg take the court first to huge cheers, in particular for Mikkel Hansen, showing the universal love handball fans have for the Danish legend who is playing his last game in the EHF Champions League today.
17:53
Anastacia's performance wraps up and the teams are gathered in the tunnel awaiting entry to the arena. Not long now until the trophy game begins!
17:46
The pre-final show is starting, with Anastacia on court for her first performance of the day, "Best days."
17:32
Less than 30 minutes until the title-deciding game begins, Aalborg and Barça are getting their shooting arms ready with positional warm-up shots.
Barça coach Carlos Ortega has the chance to become the first to win eight EHF Champions League titles in this match. He is currently level with Andrei Xepkin on seven, with six won as a player and one in his first season as coach of Barça. Below, see his thoughts on Aalborg.
I saw the first half of the first semi-final and part of the second. They showed a really good 6-0 defence. Really strong. We played against Magdeburg. We know how difficult it is to beat them. Aalborg have players who are able to shoot from the outside, to play one-against-one. [Mads] Hoxer is really good at the moment. We did not play this season against Aalborg. They are having a much better season than in 2021. I think it’s going to be a big battle.
Barça vs Aalborg might not have been the game that everyone expected to close the season but, based on the whole season, it feels somehow logical that these teams will be fighting for the trophy. Between the star-studded teams, what will make the difference? My prediction is that the team that wins the Danish goalkeeper battle will probably take it all.
Emil Nielsen has been stunning all season long, and there is no reason things should change tonight, all of a sudden. But Niklas Landin proved yesterday he was decisive in the key moments of the semi-final, and it's very rare that he gives two lacklustre performances in a row. The goalkeeper who makes the most saves will probably be the one who offers the trophy to his teammates.Kevin DomasEHF journalist
17:08
The opening match of the day is done and it's time for the main event — the final! Aalborg and Barça are both on court in LANXESS arena for the early stages of their warm-up now.
It was important for us to show something else than we did yesterday. It was hard to find sleep last night after such a loss, after failing to show what is THW Kiel. Today was much better. The start of the game gave us a lot of confidence offensively, especially after what we delivered yesterday. For the fans, for the team, for the club, it was really important to end the season on a high note.
It was hard to focus as we were all really disappointed after the loss in the semi-final yesterday. We came here to win the final and it’s tough to find the motivation to play this game. It took us one half and then we started to play good. But we missed too many crucial shots — myself first of all, and it’s hard to come back when you miss these shots after being behind by nine.
15:46 HALF-TIME | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 14:23
An incredible first half from THW Kiel sees them take a nine-goal lead into the break. THW keeper Tomas Mrkva holds a nine-save tally that speaks volumes regarding the difference on the score board, with a save rate of 39.13 per cent. Niclas Ekberg leads the scoring chart with six goals, in what is shaping up to be a fitting farewell for the Swedish wing.
15:41 28th MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 13:21
What a display we are witnessing from Kiel! THW have hit a steady eight-goal advantage and it is difficult to imagine Magdeburg shifting the momentum here, but half-time is coming and Magdeburg will undoubtedly find some things to adapt that might help them for the second half. Crucial now is for Magdeburg to keep the distance from growing greater, and pull it back as much as they can before the half-time buzzer.
15:32 21st MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 10:16
Kiel continue their rampage and hit a six-goal lead that inspires Magdeburg coach Bennet Wiegert to replace Sergey Hernandez (two saves) with Mikael Aggefors between the posts. Goalkeeping is one area both Magdeburg and Kiel were outclassed in the semi-finals, but today at least Mrkva has found his form. Can Aggefors find his and help Magdeburg with a comeback?
15:27 17th MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 7:11
Kiel extend their lead as they continue to profit off saves from Tomas Mrkva, as he reaches a tally of six and a rate of 42.86 per cent. Mrkva certainly has his saving form turned on, and when a goalkeeper starts to save we know they can often ride the wave to a superb match.
Mrkva was a crucial factor in Kiel reaching the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4. He had an excellent outing in the second-leg quarter-final as the side pulled off a miraculous 10-goal win that meant they accomplished the seemingly impossible task of an aggregate victory after losing the first leg by nine.
15:23 15th MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 7:11
Kiel are back in command after allowing Magdeburg to equalise earlier, and that is thanks in large part to a strong performance from goalkeeper Tomas Mrkva, who counts four saves so far. In attack, Niclas Ekberg is making the most of his last Champions League match for the "Zebras," having contributed four of his side's goals so far.
15:18 12th MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 7:9
A direct red card for Christian O'Sullivan for a face hit on Eric Johansson is a blow for Magdeburg, and extends the Norwegian's record of disqualifications at the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4. The key defender for the side has now been sent off in every match he has played in Cologne, for a total of four.
15:11 7th MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 5:5
A turbo-charged two minutes with seven goals scored see Magdeburg level the game rapidly. This was an element of the 2023 title winners' game highlighted by data analyst journalist Julian Rux prior to the quarter-finals, which highlighted the phenomenon of so-called "kill shots," referring to how Magdeburg often win matches thanks to one or two big scoring runs that can either see them pull ahead or level a match quickly.
Although the article was published in the context of the quarter-final battle against Kielce, it's still an interesting read about the unique style of the German team. Check it out here.
15:09 5th MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 1:3
Ekberg delivers his second goal of the game already, as Kiel enjoy an early lead. Magdeburg are finding trouble so far against Kiel's defence, and Tomas Mrkva has also had a say in goal.
15:06 2nd MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 0:1
Back to action, with Magdeburg in attack.
15:05 2nd MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 0:1
A pause in the match as there is a problem with liquid on the sideline.
15:01 2nd MINUTE | SC MAGDEBURG VS THW KIEL 0:1
The 3/4 placement match begins with THW Kiel in attack, and wing Niclas Ekberg — playing his last EHF Champions League game for Kiel after 12 seasons with the German side — nets the first goal of the day.
14:55
Magdeburg are on court and Kiel are completing the entry procedure now. We are minutes away from throw-off in the second-to-last match of the 2023/24 season!
14:42
Kiel and Magdeburg have left the court for their last pre-game chats and we will soon be underway with the second and last day of the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 2024! See where you can watch the matches in your country below, with all streamed live on EHFTV (geo-restrictions).
14:36
Magdeburg and Kiel are into the final stages of their warm-up now, with the start of the 3/4 placement game just over 20 minutes away.
As I've already mentioned, mastering the mental element of this match is usually the key to winning it — that can be said of every game but in particular when backing up after a semi-final defeat. Magdeburg may have taken their loss a little harder than THW, as a defeat you can see coming long before the final whistle is less of a shock than one that occurs only in the final minutes when you see your chance snatched away suddenly.
With that said, athletes want to win every game they play. So will Magdeburg make it three from three against Magdeburg this season (after winning both Bundesliga encounters), or will Kiel end that series?
14:05
Into the final hour before the starting whistle now, and THW Kiel are taking the court to start warm-up.
The 3/4 placement match is a difficult one, with less than 24 hours to recover both physically and mentally after the semi-final loss, ending what the teams have been fighting for all season. It often comes down to who can master the mental aspect the best. And the most important motivation is usually the club supporters, as Nikola Bilyk said following the semi-final defeat yesterday.
Those Sunday games are always really tough, especially after such a huge loss. I think that we just owe to the fans and to the club to show something else tomorrow. No matter how hard it is to find the motivation, we have to play 100 per cent against Magdeburg. We have to find motivation, to try to do everything to win this game and end the weekend on a better note.
13:44
We near the last hour before throw-off on the ultimate day of the 2023/24 season, and THW Kiel and Magdeburg have both arrived at LANXESS arena ready for the 3/4 placement game.
13:20
Slovenians and the EHF Champions League Men title — you have to go back a fair way to find a title win that did not include a Slovenian player in the champion team, all the way to Vardar's victory in 2016/17. And the list of names is long.
Last year, Marko Bezjak took the title with Magdeburg. The two preceding years, Blaz Janc and Domen Makuc took it with Barça, along with Jure Dolenec in 2020/21. When Kiel raised the trophy in 2019/20, Miha Zarabec was part of the team. In 2018/19, Stas Skube celebrated the title with Vardar. In 2017/18, Vid Kavticnik made it to the top of the podium with Montpellier.
Slovenia are the only country with this achievement, as no other can count so many consecutive title wins recently. And the series is sure to continue, as both finalists have Slovenians in their midst — Aleks Vlah for Aalborg and Makuc and Janc for Barça.
12:23
Who will raise the trophy? And who will take the MVP award? In what is the 15th edition of the EHF FINAL4 Men, this is the 11th time the individual award will be given. Below, see the list of who has received it before.
In yesterday's semi-finals, Barça goalkeeper Emil Nielsen certainly made a strong case for himself, although we might guess that the Spanish side will at least start with Gonzalo Perez de Vargas in goal today, as many coaches with such stellar options in between the posts tend to do — such as Györ last weekend at the EHF FINAL4 Women 2024.
But could we see the first ever Danish MVP of the EHF FINAL4 Men? With Aalborg in the final and Nielsen in Barça's line-up, the possibility is definitely there. Another strong contender could be Barça captain Dika Mem, which would make it the second French player to receive it.
| Season | Player | Club |
| 2022/23 | Gisli Kristjánsson (ISL) | SC Magdeburg (GER) |
| 2021/22 | Artsem Karalek (BLR) | Kielce (POL) |
| 2020/21 | Gonzalo Perez de Vargas (ESP) | FC Barcelona (ESP) |
| 2019/20 | Hendrik Pekeler (GER) | THW Kiel (GER) |
| 2018/19 | Igor Karacic (CRO) | HC Vardar (MKD) |
| 2017/18 | Diego Simonet (ARG) | Montpellier HB (FRA) |
| 2016/17 | Arpad Sterbik (ESP) | HC Vardar (MKD) |
| 2015/16 | Aron Palmarsson (ISL) | Telekom Veszprém (HUN) |
| 2014/15 | Nikola Karabatic (FRA) | FC Barcelona (ESP) |
| 2013/14 | Aron Palmarsson (ISL) | THW Kiel (GER) |
11:47
Before the final at 18:00 CEST, THW Kiel and Magdeburg will fight for third place in what is their first encounter in European cup competitions. Although the two have never met in an international match, they are of course familiar rivals from the Bundesliga. This season, Magdeburg won both matches against Kiel in the domestic league.
It is the first all-German encounter at the EHF FINAL4 since 2014, when Flensburg beat Kiel in the final. There has only been one all-German 3/4 placement match at the EHF FINAL4, in 2011, with Rhein-Neckar Löwen defeating Hamburg.
Current Kiel player Domagoj Duvnjak was part of that 3/4 game, playing for Hamburg at the time. He would later win the Champions League with the side, in 2013. He joined Kiel the summer after they were defeated by Flensburg in the final. 
11:41
Today's final will have the option of a live audio stream service for the visually impaired. It is the first time this service is offered, and EHF Marketing are thrilled to bring a new level of accessibility and engagement for all handball fans to enjoy the excitement of the title match. Read more about it here.
11:19
The past has no bearing on what will unfold today in Cologne as the season's title is decided, but just for fun, let's take a look back at the 2021 final, when Barça defeated Aalborg decisively to celebrate their ninth trophy.
That match certainly did not go as Aalborg planned, with Barça securing the biggest victory ever recorded at the EHF FINAL4, 36:23. It was Aalborg's debut in Cologne, which does not mean they were not dreaming of going all the way, but still meant reaching the final was a significant achievement.
Of course both teams have changed since then. Notably, on Aalborg's side, the young guns like Mads Hoxer and Thomas Arnoldsen had yet to join the side, and at the other end of the scale, they have since welcomed the hugely experienced Niklas Landin and Mikkel Hansen. In Saturday's semi-final, Aalborg delivered a superb match all round, but in money time it was Landin's ability to deliver under pressure that ultimately earned them the ticket to the trophy game.
While it seems everything is lined up for Aalborg to be a serious opponent for Barça in today's final, the Spanish side were unstoppable in their semi against THW Kiel. And Aalborg have never won against Barça, in a total of 11 previous encounters. But this is the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4, where there are no rules when it comes to favourites.
Below, enjoy some highlights of the 2021 final via the Home of Handball YouTube. There, you can also see highlights of yesterday's semi-finals.
11:00
Good morning and welcome to the final day of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 2023/24! Courtney Gahan here to guide you through the ultimate day of the season, live from Cologne, where all eyes will be on LANXESS arena as Barça and Aalborg battle for the trophy. The day begins with the 3/4 placement match, with an all-German clash as Magdeburg and Kiel aim to avoid leaving Cologne empty-handed.
The schedule for today:
- final 18:00 CEST Aalborg vs Barça
- 3/4 placement match 15:00 CEST Magdeburg vs THW Kiel
To begin, get to know all the facts surrounding the matches with our preview and recap what happened yesterday with the live blog coverage of the semi-finals. Find them below!
