SC Magdeburg is in the final of the Champions League. The runner-up wants to mobilize the last reserves against the Polish champions Industria Kielce.
With heart and passion, the SC Magdeburg handball players want to triumph for the second time after 2002 in the Champions League. “We have the last 60 minutes of this season ahead of us for a damn big goal. I get goose bumps when I think about it,” said SCM coach Bennet Wiegert before the final against Industria Kielce on Sunday (6 p.m. / DAZN) in Cologne and promised: “We will give everything we have.”
The 40:39 victory after a penalty throw in the semifinals against defending champions FC Barcelona has boosted Magdeburg’s confidence for the duel with the Polish champions and the German national goalkeeper Andreas Wolff. “The boys shouldn’t worry and believe in their chances, because everyone has them here,” appealed Wiegert.
Goalkeeper Nikola Portner also spread optimism. “I said before the tournament: It just takes courage and faith,” he said. The Swiss knows how to win the premier class, having already achieved this feat in 2018 with Montpellier HB.
Mertens is looking forward to a duel with Wolff
However, Magdeburg will have to do without backcourt ace Gisli Kristjansson, who suffered a serious shoulder injury against Barcelona. In terms of sport, the absence of the 23-year-old Icelander means a weakening, but Wiegert also sees it as an opportunity for the team to move even closer together: “We have a damned duty to win for him too.”
Lukas Mertens also relies on the loud support of the fans. “I hope that at least 15,000 of the 20,000 spectators are for us and make the final a home game,” said the international. Mertens is particularly looking forward to the duel with his DHB colleague Wolff. “He teased a little at the national team’s last training session,” reported the left winger.
Wolff is also looking forward to it, especially since he and his club lost last year’s final against Barcelona in a penalty throw. However, the 32-year-old’s respect for the German runner-up is at least as great. “I like playing against Magdeburg, even if they are currently the most dangerous team in the world for me. They are very difficult to calculate and have a fantastic team structure,” said Wolff.
Source: Stern
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