“In the Champions League, miracles often happen”: MHB remains cautious despite its nine-goal advantage acquired against Kiel

Rémi Desbonnet was one of the (very) strong men of MHB against Kiel on Wednesday. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Thanks to its victory against Kiel (39-30) on Wednesday April 24 at the FDI Stadium, the MHB offered itself a cushion of nine goals before the return match in Germany on Thursday, but nothing has been done yet.

As the ball left Rémi Desbonnet's hand, the FDIStadium fell silent, checking the time as it passed, before exploding at the same time as the siren. At the last second, the MHB goalkeeper had just completed his performance with a second goal from his goal, after making 16 saves and dynamiting his team's play for 60 minutes.

Above all, the French international (26 caps) had just given his team a nine-goal lead against THW Kiel (39-30) to see the Final 4 and Cologne come closer . "At this stage of the competition, you have the tactics and then you’have the “cojones” what you put on the field and the desire", analyzed Yanis Lenne, so valuable on Wednesday (7 goals).

Full to the max, the FDIStadium attended a recital by Valentin Porte's teammates, also excellent, thanks to constant defensive intensity and fast play so characteristic of MHB .

Jicha: "We need a little miracle next week

However, the captain and all his teammates were keen to point out that they did not yet have their ticket to Cologne in their hands. Even so far in advance. "Being nine goals ahead is not a situation that we have experienced too much. We can be happy but we have to come down straight away, it's only half-time and, in handball, we've seen monstrous things", declared Porte.

After the tide on the German coast, Filip Jicha had great difficulty finding his words at a press conference, still calling for a reaction upon return.

"We are very disappointed, but it’s only the first half, said the THW coach. I believe in a magical night in Kiel where our defenders will defend better, our goalkeepers will make more saves and our attackers will score goals. We need a little miracle next week."

If someone asks me which team in Europe is capable of coming back nine goals, I would answer Kiel without hesitation

Patrice Canayer, his counterpart in the two Champions Leagues (2003, 2018) with Montpellier following suit: "The problem is that& rsquo;in the Champions League, miracles often happen. It's up to us to take up this challenge there, it will be another story".

Man of the match in attack on Wednesday evening and winner of the Champions League in 2019 with Vardar Skopje, Stas Skube has seen many others to catch fire: "We won by nine goals, that's very good but if someone asks me which team in Europe is capable of coming back nine goals, I would answer Kiel without hesitation".