After a thrilling final full of emotions THW Kiel is the new IHF Super Globe Champion, as Ciudad Real missed its hat-trick after winning the 2007 and 2010 titles.
 
THW Kiel (GER) –Renovalia Ciudad Real (ESP) 28:25 (10:14)
 
Tough, emotions, highest tension – the 2011 Super Globe final in Doha had all ingredients of a top-notch match. 3,200 spectators watched the match of two European teams representing world class. IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa and Sheikh Jawaan bin Hamad Al Thani handed over the trophy to THW captain Marcus Ahlm, and the Germans celebrated their first ever Super Globe title.
The match was on the edge during all the 60 minutes – and it was a game of two completely different halves. Ciudad Real was clearly predominant before the break and had managed a well-deserved four-goal margin. Kiel was weak in attack and had to thank outstanding goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer, who saved ten shots before the break. Despite his world-class performance Ciudad Real proved strong from the wing positions, and its goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik also saved brilliantly.
But the match changed totally after the break: Kiel improved in both attack and defence. It took only seven minutes for Kiel to turn the game upside down from 10:15 to 17:15. But then the Germans were shocked for a short period: Due to a foul on Guardiola committed by World Handball Player of the Year Filip Jicha, Kiel’s player was sent off. Ciudad Real equalised again to 17:17 – the game was on the edge. Yet, Kiel kept calm as emotions became hot like the desert outside. Kiel’s captain Marcus Ahlm (THW top scorer with seven goals) assumed responsibility to lead his team to manage another three-goal margin. But Ciudad Real did not give up and fought hard for every ball.
Then it was Omeyer again, who saved the title for Kiel in the final stage of the match. Thanks to his 17 saves in total he became the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Although Ciudad Real caught up to just one goal again, THW kept cool, and with Kim Andersson scoring to 28:25 in the final minute the game was over.
While Ciudad Real missed its title hat-trick after winning the 2007 and 2010 titles, Kiel is the first German team in history to lift the trophy. And it was the sole title Kiel’s treasury of trophies had been missing, as it already claimed several European Cup title, two Champions League titles, 16 the German championship titles and seven German Cup titles.