Match Preview
Barcelona are tagged number one favorite to go all the way and reclaim the European throne. Can Aalborg hold the Spanish champions and upset the odds?
Aalborg Looking to Cause an Upset
Aalborg had a strong Champions League group-stage campaign, collecting 21 points from 14 matches with a record of ten wins, one draw and three defeats. That was enough to secure 2nd place in Group A behind Fuchse Berlin.
Their quarterfinal clash against Sporting Lisbon proved to be a huge test. Aalborg trailed by five goals in Portugal at 28-23 but fought back to earn a valuable 31-31 draw. The return leg in Denmark was another thriller, with the Danish side edging out Sporting 37-36 in a dramatic finish.
Since that victory, Aalborg have made five appearances in the Danish Herre Handbold Ligaen playoffs and successfully defended their domestic title by defeating Skanderborg AGF in two games.
Barcelona Did a Great Job so Far
Barcelona were by far the most dominant team in the Champions League group stage, winning 13 of their 14 matches to advance as the top-ranked team and one of the leading contenders for the trophy.
They had little trouble reaching the Final Four, beating Nantes 32-30 in the first leg in France before finishing the job in convincing fashion at home with a 31-21 victory.
Blaugrana were equally dominant domestically, finishing the Spanish Liga ASOBAL regular season with a perfect record of 30 wins from 30 matches. They also lifted the Copa del Rey last week after crushing Bidasoa Irun 37-17 in the final.