Narrow bankruptcy in the final: After a dramatic final phase – Magdeburg missed out on the European Cup triumph

Stand: 29.05.2022 | Reading time: 3 minutes

DShortly before probably winning the German championship, SC Magdeburg missed the crowning glory again in the European Cup. The leaders of the Handball Bundesliga lost the final of the European League on Sunday after extra time with 39:40 (32:32, 14:15) against hosts Benfica Lisbon.

In a highly exciting game in Portugal’s capital, Omar Ingi Magnusson was the top scorer for Magdeburg with twelve goals. Five-time German international Ole Rahmel was the most successful for Benfica with eleven goals.

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In a dramatic final phase, Benfica managed to equalize at the very last second to make it 32:32. Encouraged by their vociferous fans, the Portuguese then took the title in extra time. Nevertheless, Magdeburg can crown an exceptional season on Thursday. In the Bundesliga game against relegation candidate HBW Balingen-Weilstetten, coach Bennet Wiegert’s team would then be satisfied with a draw to secure their second German championship after 2001.

Back and forth

The designated German champions were not in the mood to celebrate in Lisbon after the final whistle. The strong Portuguese had caused big problems for the SCM over long distances. Only in the 38th minute did Magdeburg lead by two goals for the first time in the game. Benfica led again in the 49th minute. A heated final phase developed, although Benfica’s strength waned as the game went on. But the Portuguese braced themselves against the greater individual quality of the SCM with an enormous willpower.

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After the semi-final win against Croatian club Nexe, coach Wiegert emphasized that his change options could have been a key to victory. The club world champion was also able to rotate against Benfica. For example, when national player Lukas Mertens was weakening, Wiegert brought Matthias Musche to the left winger. Musche was already the SCM’s top scorer in the semi-finals, and he also played well against the hosts after being brought in.

Benfica didn’t have such change options across the board. But what the Portuguese had instead: the loud support of their audience. While only a few fans traveled from Magdeburg, the vast majority in the hall cheered on the hosts.

That’s another reason why the game remained tight for a long time in the second round. Whenever Benfica got close, the heated atmosphere in the arena changed. The fact that things stayed tight for so long was also due to the outstanding Benfica goalkeeper Sergey Hernandez.

But Magdeburg stayed cool. A few seconds before the final whistle, national player Philipp Weber gave the Bundesliga leaders the lead. Everything looked like a Magdeburg success. Only three seconds remained Benfica for a hit – and they were enough. The Portuguese managed to equalize with the final siren. And finally, in extra time, victory.

“It’s extremely bitter. We thought we won after 60 minutes. And then something like that happens,” said SCM goalkeeper Jannick Green. “We had problems in defense and in goalkeeping. Their large circular runners presented us with challenges.”