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Circle runner Patrick Wiencek was looking forward to a cold beer, but the handball players at THW Kiel did not have a precise idea of ​​the victory party after their triumph in the Champions League.

"I don't even know what is allowed," said goalkeeper Niklas Landin in view of the strict Corona rules.

Backcourt player Steffen Weinhold was sure: "We will find a way to have a nice night."

With the unexpectedly clear 33:28 in the final against FC Barcelona, ​​the Kiel team crowned themselves Europe's best club team for the fourth time after 2007, 2010 and 2012.

"That's incredible.

We made history, ”said coach Filip Jicha.

"I am very proud of my players and the happiest coach in the world."

Jicha's tactical masterpiece

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Kiel's young coach pulled the teeth of the Catalans with an unusual tactic.

In the second half, Jicha let his team attack with 7-on-6, taking out their own goalkeeper.

The background: The only 38-year-old wanted to allow his players longer attacks and thus also breaks.

Barcelona, ​​known for their dangerous counter-attacks, could not use the supposed advantage of the empty Kiel goal, Jicha's plan worked perfectly.

For Norway's superstar Sander Sagosen, who contributed seven goals to the success, a very special success: "I dreamed of this gold medal when I was five years old."

The Czech Jicha was a world-class handball player himself, won the Champions League twice as an active player and ended his career in 2017. At that time he was under contract with the now defeated FC Barcelona.

In 2018 he started as an assistant coach in Kiel, in 2019 he rose to head coach and has already celebrated the greatest success in club handball.

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Against the Spanish series champions, the Kiel team went to their limits again in the last game of the year - and sometimes even beyond.

“We plowed so much.

Everyone gave everything ”, praised Wiencek.

And Weinhold stated: "We put a lot of work and struggle into it."

The triumph was garnished by two further awards: Right winger Niclas Ekberg, who was the THW's best thrower in the final with eight goals, was the top scorer in the 2019/20 Champions League season.

Circle runner Hendrik Pekeler was pleased to receive the award as the most valuable player in the Final4 tournament, which was held seven months late due to the Corona crisis.

Prime Minister Günther congratulates

The people of Kiel also received congratulations from politics.

“I am as happy as Bolle about the success of the THW Kiel.

The European handball crown is coming back to Schleswig-Holstein, ”said Daniel Günther.

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For the THW and all of its fans it was a perfect end to a difficult handball year, said Schleswig-Holstein's Prime Minister and spoke of a “great sporting performance and a great performance in Cologne”.

Hendrik Pekeler was recognized as the most valuable player in the final tournament

Source: AP / Martin Meissner

The joy was only clouded a little by the special Corona circumstances in the empty Cologne arena.

"Unfortunately, something is missing," said Landin, who had shone with strong saves, especially in the second half, about the fans' abstinence.

"We hope that there will be full halls again in the future."