Champions League
Premier class coup beckons: Magdeburg’s handball players in the final
The SC Magdeburg players celebrate after reaching the Champions League final. photo
© Marius Becker/dpa
In 2002, SC Magdeburg was the first German handball club to win the Champions League. 21 years later, after reaching the final, history can repeat itself. However, an important player is missing.
After the happy ending in the semi-final drama of the Champions League against FC Barcelona, the SC Magdeburg handball players were pure bliss – only the serious injury to backcourt ace Gisli Kristjansson spoiled the joy.
The protégés of trainer Bennet Wiegert, who was a player when the first title was won 21 years ago, danced exuberantly across the floor and then let their fans cheer them on for the 40:39 (38:38, 31:31, 16:18)- Celebrate victory after throwing seven meters in a duel with the record winner and defending champion.
“I’m damn proud of what the boys get out of themselves and show for a character. I hope they reward themselves for it on Sunday,” said Wiegert. In the final on Sunday in Cologne, the second triumph in the premier class after 2002 beckons. “We will put our hearts on the floor and give everything,” promised Wiegert.
Serious injury at Kristjansson
“It’s something historic for the club and for us players,” said goalkeeper Nikola Portner, adding: “Now we have to win the title too.” However, the SCM has to do without Kristjansson, who suffered a serious shoulder injury for the third time in his career and may be out for several months.
Supported by helpers, the 23-year-old Icelander stumbled out of the sold-out arena with around 20,000 fans four minutes before the end of regular time. “It breaks my heart. I don’t have to explain to anyone what a dislocated shoulder means for a handball player. In addition, if it’s the throwing arm. I expect a long downtime,” said Wiegert, adding combatively: “But we will for be there for him and try to win the final for him too.”
Close duel throughout the season
The final opponent was then determined between Paris Saint-Germain and the Polish champions Industria Kielce with the German national goalkeeper Andreas Wolff. “We have to come back to earth because tomorrow we continue,” Portner appealed to his teammates.
From the start, Magdeburg was at eye level and didn’t let the Spanish series champion pull away. The German runners-up took the first lead at 7:6 (11th minute), which was mainly due to the unerring Michael Damgaard. The Danish world champion scored a total of eight goals and, alongside Kay Smits (11 goals), was his team’s best thrower. “The soul of SC Magdeburg saved us today,” said Damgaard.
In the middle of the first half, the SCM fell behind by two goals for the first time (11:13), but were not impressed by this and remained in close contact. After the change, Magdeburg, who are participating in the Final4 tournament for the first time, came out of the dressing room with renewed energy and managed a two-goal lead for the first time at 24:22.
But even then it remained a close match in which both teams gave nothing and delivered an open exchange of blows until the end. He continued in extra time, which remained without a winner, and finally culminated in a nervous duel from seven meters.
Although Daniel Pettersson and Magnus Saugstrup on the Magdeburg side missed, the Catalans were only able to convert one of five attempts. When SCM goalkeeper Mike Jensen parried Ludovic Fabregas’ last shot, there was no stopping the 2022 German champions. “What the goalkeepers did in the penalty throw was just crazy,” said Damgaard.