A full hall, live broadcast on free TV and a lot of class on the floor: The guest appearance of defending champion THW Kiel at the designated heir to the throne SC Magdeburg electrified handball fans throughout Germany.
With a win in the top Bundesliga game this Saturday (6:00 p.m.), the sovereign leaders from Magdeburg want to eliminate the last slight doubts about their first championship title in 21 years and start the celebrations twelve weeks before the season finale.
For national coach Alfred Gislason, who once led both SCM and THW to the German championship and the Champions League triumph, one thing is certain: “If Magdeburg wins, it’s definitely over.”
In this he agrees with Pascal Hens. “Honestly, I can’t imagine how Magdeburg could give that up. They have a very broad squad with many options and a lot of self-confidence. They won’t let that take them away,” said the former world champion.
Top duel electrifies handball fans
With 44:2 points, Magdeburg is the clear leader in the league ahead of Kiel (38:10) and Füchsen Berlin (37:9). Even a victory in Kiel would probably only delay the changing of the guard at the top, but not avert it.
“We have to face reality: Magdeburg is having an outstanding season, we’re not thinking about the championship anymore,” admitted THW goalkeeper Niklas Landin.
Coach Bennet Wiegert played a major role in Magdeburg’s handball renaissance. “Benno was always a serious guy. He was always extremely loyal to his team and extremely emotional about it. He’s certainly a bit of a hothead, but who isn’t in the job? He lives handball. That’s what makes him special transfers to the team,” Gislason praised his former protégé in an interview with “Sport Bild”.
The 40-year-old Wiegert – whose father Ingolf became Olympic champion with the GDR in 1980 – has put together a team in which one cog meshes with the other.
Coach Wiegert with a large part in the success
Especially the backcourt with the outstanding Icelander Omar Ingi Magnusson is currently looking for its equal. “Benno is outstanding as a coach. He has brought in the players who fit his system. Magdeburg’s backcourt is better than Kiel’s,” said Gislason.
The brilliant performances of the SCM, which has only lost one game in the entire season and has already won a title with the Super Globe – the club world championship – inspire people in the sports city of Magdeburg.
“The euphoria is palpable. People talk to you on the street and wish you luck,” reported international Lukas Mertens. For the duel with Kiel, the left winger set the route: “We’re in pole position and want to do everything we can to clear the boat as quickly as possible. We’re really up for the game.”
This also applies to the THW, which cannot afford any further slip-ups. Because only the second in the table accompanies the master in the premier class.
“For us it’s about playing in the Champions League again next year,” said pivot Hendrik Pekeler. However, the last Kiel victory in Magdeburg was seven years ago. “For me, this is the hardest away hall in Germany,” said THW trainer Filip Jicha.
This is exactly what arouses the ambition of the record champion, who is worried about the use of backcourt star Sander Sagosen. “You always want to win against Magdeburg,” emphasized goalkeeper Landin. “It doesn’t matter whether they are in front of us or behind us.”