A German Extravaganza: SC Magdeburg vs Füchse Berlin in the Champions League's Grand Finale
- *
Title: Handball Premier League: German Team Holds Final Decision in Championship Battle - Handball final in Germany's top tier tournament secured
Brace yourself for the German spectacle in the Champions League! After an electrifying display, both Füchse Berlin and SC Magdeburg earned their spots in the final, promising a historic ninth German victory in the tournament's 32-year history.
The action-packed final will take place on Sunday at 6:00 PM. Magdeburg, the two-time champions, triumphant in 2002 and 2023, secured their berth by outlasting reigning champ and legendary FC Barcelona 31:30 (18:18) in the semi-finals. Berlin, fresh off their domestic title win, had also thumped French side HBC Nantes 34:24 (18:12) in an thrilling clash despite a swift red card for star player Mathias Gidsel.
Elated post-match, a relieved Gidsel showered his teammates with gratitude. "These guys are incredible," he declared. "Mathias plays a pivotal role for us, but we're more than just Mathias Gidsel. The team really shone," commended Füchse CEO Bob Hanning.
The Rugged City of Berlin
With 20,000 screaming fans in attendance, Gidsel picked up a red card after just 9 minutes after a sliding tackle took out an opponent. "It was a challenging decision, as it was a dangerous play. However, the playing surface was not up to Champions League standard, with numerous players slipping throughout the game," analyzed Hanning.
Füchse powered through, with Dejan Milosavljev's exceptional saves and Fabian Wiede's strong performance holding the fort in Gidsel's absence. "We adhered to our strategy, and even though Mathias' exit was a small setback, we powered through and gave it our all," shared Wiede, looking forward to the big dance: "Now we have a rejuvenated Mathias Gidsel who can deliver a top-notch performance."
The tenacious SC Magdeburg
In the second semi-final, SC Magdeburg battled against Spanish titan Barcelona. "We always believed in our abilities. Self-belief was crucial today," said coach Bennet Wiegert. Magdeburg supporters erupted when versatile player Gisli Kristjansson returned from a shoulder injury. Despite struggling to keep pace with Barcelona in the first half, Magdeburg kept the game competitive, trailing only 24:28 at halftime.
In the nail-biting closing minutes, Magdeburg equalized at 28 apiece with a minute left, and then took the lead for the first time at 30:28. Barcelona stormed back to level the score with seconds remaining. In the final moments, Magdeburg kept their collective cool and scored the winner in the dying seconds, thanks to a remarkable goal from Tim Hornke.
"It was a fortunate moment. The outcome remained uncertain until the very end," stated Hornke. And left winger Lukas Mertens shared: "I didn't expect the game to be so intense and for the win to be decided in the last second. The game truly deserved it that way."
- Champions League
- Grand Finale
- Berlin Foxes
- SC Magdeburg
- Final
- Mathias Gidsel
- Cologne
- Sunday
- Fabian Wiede
- Barcelona
- HBC
- Nantes
- Europe
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens in the industrial centers of Cologne, particularly in the manufacturing sectors, to ensure the health and safety of the workforce.
Meanwhile, in the world of sports, the football fans eagerly await the grand finale of the Champions League, with Berlin Foxes and SC Magdeburg locking horns on Sunday for the ninth German victory in the tournament's 32-year history, a match that will surely be a thrilling contest to remember.
