Things are happening in quick succession at SC Magdeburg: After the big win in the Champions League on Thursday evening, the focus is now on the top game for the championship against Füchse Berlin. “Sport im Osten” will broadcast the hit on Sunday from 4pm live on TV, in the app and on the web.
The victory in the last group game in the Champions League against Veszprém HC was important in two senses for the handball players at SC Magdeburg. As group winners, the SCM moves straight into the quarter-finals, saving themselves two more round of 16 games and travel stress. At the same time, Bennet Wiegert’s team regained their self-confidence before the title clash against Füchse Berlin.
More top game is not possible
Magdeburg and Berlin have been fighting for the trophy in the handball Bundesliga for weeks. On Sunday (4 p.m. in TV & live stream) there is now a direct duel. The Berliners have three points more than the league leaders, but Magdeburg is one game behind. The duel couldn’t be hotter.
“I’m just looking forward to experiencing what’s happening here on Sunday in what will hopefully be a fantastic, emotional atmosphere,” says Wiegert, looking at the GETEC Arena, which was sold out with 6,600 spectators. Duels against the Foxes are always explosive, regardless of the table constellation. The rivalry is great. For years. “Games against Berlin are special because of the regional competition. I find that quite charming,” says Wiegert in an interview with “MDR Sachsen-Anhalt”.
Wiegert: “Little things will decide”
He is expecting a close game because the performance density at the top is extremely tight, says the successful coach, who is convinced that little things make a difference. “Anything else would surprise me.”
Magdeburg and Berlin have had an incredibly good season so far and are deservedly at the top of the table – but Sunday’s game will not be a preliminary decision in the fight for the title. The league is too balanced and the season is too long for that. The SCM still has ten match days ahead of it, including the Füchse game.
Gisli Kristjansson and Co. are looking forward to the top game in the handball Bundesliga.
Unlike the Magdeburgers, the Berliners missed direct qualification for the quarter-finals in the European League. But Wiegert didn’t want to attach too much importance to this. The Berlin Foxes “experimented a bit in the squad in the European League. That’s why I wouldn’t overestimate the defeats against Lisbon. In the Bundesliga they always did their job and also won the close games,” said the SCM coach on Sunday “The Füchse Bundesliga face and not the Füchse European League face” is expected.
Gidsel – pivotal point in the game
The outstanding player for the opponent from the capital is the Dane Mathias Gidsel. Gidsel is a world star: He was top scorer at the last World and European Championships and was on the All-Star team. The 25-year-old is the second best thrower in the league with 186 goals. “For me, Mathias Gidsel is currently the best player in the world, but Magdeburg is the best team in the world. And Mathias Gidsel alone will not win this game,” said Füchse sports director Stefan Kretzschmar. Wiegert doesn’t want to reduce Berliners to Gidsel alone: ”It’s important to stop the big picture,” he made it clear.
Whether it will be successful will be seen on Sunday. The chances are good. Because whenever it matters, SC Magdeburg is there this season. And playing games at the highest level every three days is nothing new for the close-knit SCM team.
Sanny Stephan/Jonas Schlott
