Title Contenders Clash in the Champions League
HandballKing Final Within German Reach
Cologne (dpa) - The dream final of the German handball compete in the Champions League is set. After the Foxes Berlin, the SC Magdeburg stormed into the final four and will play for the ninth time on Sunday in the final for the prestigious handball title.
Magdeburg, who previously claimed the coveted crown in 2002 and 2023, defeated record winner and defending champion FC Barcelona 31:30 in the semifinal. Earlier, the German champion from Berlin had clearly defeated the French representative HBC Nantes 34:24; a close match despite an early red card for superstar Mathias Gidsel. The capital club is hoping to win Europe's handball crown for the first time, just a week after its maiden championship title.
The red card sent Mathias Gidsel, the world handball player, off the court after less than nine minutes with a red card. The Denmark-born player slipped while trying to defend and had swept an opponent off the ground with a sliding tackle, like in football. "It was a hard but correct decision because it was dangerous," commented Füchse CEO Bob Hanning the scene after the final whistle. Gidsel himself expressed relief, hugging every one of his teammates. "Thanks to the guys. This team is incredible," said the star player.
Berlin Unfazed
In front of a lively crowd of 20,000 fans, it was initially difficult for the Berliners without Gidsel. However, the German champions remained calm and stayed in control of the game, with their key player, goalkeeper Dejan Milosavljev, playing a significant role. Veteran Fabian Wiede turned in a strong performance as a replacement for Gidsel. "We stuck to our plan. The red card for Mathias was a small dampener, but we then gave everything and went a few meters further," said Wiede, looking ahead to the final with confidence.
Magdeburg Shines
The SCM around top scorer Omar Ingi Magnusson (11 goals) put up a big fight against the Spanish serial champion from Barcelona. "We always believed in ourselves. That was the most important thing today," said coach Bennet Wiegert. Joy erupted among the Magdeburg fans early on, as right-back Gisli Kristjansson made his comeback just two weeks after his shoulder injury. However, Wiegert's team constantly found themselves behind in the first half, with the gap widening to four goals for the first time at 12:16 (23rd minute). But just like in the dramatic semi-final two years ago, which the Magdeburgers won in a penalty shootout against Barça, the game remained close. Even after a three-goal deficit after the break, the Magdeburgers remained unfazed.
Late-match clarity came in the dramatic final phase, as the SCM equalized just before halftime and managed to snatch a thrilling victory in the last second of the match. "That was a lucky moment," said the match winner. And left winger Lukas Mertens commented: "I didn't expect it to be so thrilling and for the game to be decided in the very last second."
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Enrichment Data:- Team Performance: SC Magdeburg displayed excellent defensive strength, with a total of 18 saves from goalkeeper Sergey Hernandez. The defense kept key players such as IHF World Championship and Olympic MVP Mathias Gidsel in check, despite a strong performance against other opponents in the season. Notable contributors from Magdeburg include Gisli Kristjansson (MVP of the tournament) with 8 goals, Michael Claar and Ómar Ingi Magnusson (6 goals each), and Magnusson as a top performer.- Game Flow: Magdeburg controlled the game from the start, taking a 16:12 lead at the half. Despite a strong comeback by Barcelona, Magdeburg managed to maintain their lead.- Key Moments: Hernandez's impressive saves and Magdeburg's solid offense kept Barcelona at bay throughout the match.- Season Milestones: Despite early injuries and poor Bundesliga form, Magdeburg surged during the knockout stages, reaching their fourth Champions League Finals with a 31:30 victory. Meanwhile, Barcelona's loss marked their third defeat in three consecutive Champions League final appearances since 2018.
In the end, the 2025 EHF Champions League Final between SC Magdeburg and Füchse Berlin was an impressive display of defensive disciplines and masterful coaching by Bennet Wiegert. With a comprehensive victory of 32:26, Magdeburg claimed their fifth European title and third since 2002. Despite a strong performance against other opponents throughout the season, Berlin's defense struggled to contain Magdeburg's offensive prowess, resulting in their first loss in a Champions League final appearance.
The football-like sliding tackle by Mathias Gidsel during the Champions League semifinal echoed the intensity of a football match. The SC Magdeburg, eyeing their fifth European handball title, will compete in the Champions League final not just in handball, but also in football, thanks to Gidsel's spirit and the team's collective performance.
