Clash of Champions: Magdeburg vs. Berlin in the EHF Final
In the run-up to the King class final exam, Wiegert secures the third position.
Cologne - The Champions League final between SC Magdeburg and Füchse Berlin is shaping up to be a monumental showdown for German handball. For Magdeburg head coach Bennet Wiegert, it's a crucial opportunity to expand the current two German spots in the premier class.
"It's high time Germany grabbed another spot in the Champions League," admitted Wiegert ahead of tonight's (6:00 PM, Dyn/DAZN/DF1) contest in Cologne," he said. "The fight to qualify through the Bundesliga is fierce, with six to seven teams battling it out. Every German team should be part of it, but it's not up to me."
This is the third time in the 32-year history of the tournament that two German teams meet in the final. THW Kiel and SG Flensburg-Handewitt both claimed victory in 2007 and 2014, making this match a "celebration for German handball," according to Wiegert.
The Great German Derby
The season ends as it began, with Magdeburg and Berlin squaring off, just as they did in the Supercup last August. Berlin edged out the victory then, and their dominance continued in the nail-biting Bundesliga title race that concluded last week. After 34 matchdays, Berlin clinched their first title in club history, one point ahead of Magdeburg.
Berlin wouldn't mind keeping the series going. Star player Mathias Gidsel, World Handballer of the Year, has set his sights on winning the "biggest event in the handball world." Despite being sent off in the 9th minute of the semi-final against HBC Nantes, Gidsel is eager to prove his impact on the team during the final. "I want to show I was part of it," he said.
But Magdeburg, still seeking their first title this season, are determined to taste victory - their third, following their wins in 2002 and 2023. National player Lukas Mertens expects a tight match. "We have momentum, the Füchse have theirs," Mertens said. "It's all to play for, but we've been in finals before."
Magdeburg's Ambitions
- Legacy: With their eyes on a fifth European title, Magdeburg aims to strengthen their storied handball history.
- Redemption: Having fallen to Berlin in earlier matches this season, Magdeburg is eager to prove their supremacy at the continental level.
- Defensive Mastery: Key players such as Gisli Kristjansson and Sergey Hernandez are expected to deliver a dominant defensive performance to neutralize Berlin's offensive threats.
Berlin's Objectives
- International Glory: Seeking their first EHF Champions League title, Berlin intends to achieve continental success following their successful Bundesliga run.
- Proving Worth: Having previously dominated Magdeburg, Berlin aims to validate their status as the top team both in Germany and Europe.
- Offensive Aggression: Reliant on players like Gidsel, Berlin aspires to outmaneuver Magdeburg's defense and claim a hard-fought victory.
While both teams eagerly anticipate the final, it remains to be seen which will triumph and establish themselves as the #1 European handball squad. Tune in to find out which club will etch their name in history!
"Tonight's Champions League final between SC Magdeburg and Füchse Berlin promises to be a significant clash for German handball, especially as it coincides with the European League, highlights the importance of Magdeburg's victory in securing an additional German spot in the premier class."
"In the EHF Final, both Magdeburg, with their ambitions for redemption and defensive mastery, and Berlin, with their objectives for international glory and offensive aggression, will strive to establish themselves as the top European handball squad, making this a potential game-changer in the history of German handball."
