SC Magdeburg has reached the final tournament of the Handball Champions League for the second time in a row. The quarter-final exit was only one throw away, but the SCM pulled its head out of the noose against Industria Kielce. The Wiegert team won after seven-meter throws.
Defending champion SC Magdeburg reached the Final Four in the Handball Champions League in the most dramatic way possible. In the quarter-final second leg, SCM defeated last year’s finalist Industria Kielce in a nerve-racking thriller 27:25 after seven-meter throws.
Ticker and statistics for reading: SC Magdeburg – Industria Kielce Arrow right Results: Champions League 23/24 Arrow right
At the end of regular time, the Bundesliga leaders were ahead 23:22 (11:13), thus making up for the 26:27 defeat from the first leg. On Thursday, the German record champion THW Kiel can follow the SCM into the Final Four (June 8th/9th) in Cologne.
SCM coach Bennet Wiegert was excited.
First SCM lead in the 21st minute
Magdeburg initially did not find the rhythm they had hoped for against Kielce in order to catch up. Coach Bennet Wiegert’s team had to chase a deficit for a long time before the hosts took the lead for the first time after 21 minutes – through goalkeeper Sergej Hernandez. With their backs against the wall, the home team managed to turn things around after the break with a remarkable improvement.
SCM left winger Lukas Mertens played from the start this time.
The outstanding SCM player alongside the strong keeper Hernandez was Omar Magnusson with six goals in the game and also the decisive goal in the seven-meter throw. On the other hand, Wolff was unable to prevent his team from being knocked out despite several seven-meter saves.
Omar Ingi Magnusson before his decisive throw.
Hernandez fended off match point
In the seven-meter throw, the SCM was on the verge of elimination when the guests took the decisive 4:3. But goalkeeper Hernandez saved from Alex Dujshebaev. Because the Spaniard then fended off the next Kielce throw, Magnusson had the chance to make the decision against the German national goalkeeper Andreas Wolff – and the Icelander succeeded.
SCM goalkeeper Sergey Hernandez improved as the game progressed and became the match winner.
Kiel only outsiders
Kiel can secure the first finals in the European premier class with two Bundesliga teams since they won the title ten years ago against Montpellier HB on Thursday. However, the Zebras’ chances are extremely slim after the 30:39 first leg defeat in France.
Aalborg in Cologne is also there
Like Magdeburg, Aalborg BK already has a ticket to Cologne in their pocket. The Danes beat top Hungarian club Veszprem HC 33:28 (first leg: 31:32). FC Barcelona and Paris St. Germain will play another Final Four participant on Thursday (first leg: 30:22).
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