The German handball champion SC Magdeburg has stormed into the semi-finals of the Champions League thanks to an energy performance. Coach Bennet Wiegert's team prevailed in the quarter-final second leg against Wisla Plock 30:28 (13:13) and thus booked their ticket for the Final Four in Cologne (22/22 June) after the 17:18 in the first leg.
"It's huge. We are incredibly happy and proud that we are going there. That was the goal of the whole team – the whole year," said the outstanding Kay Smits, who was the best scorer for Magdeburg with 14 goals.
In addition to Smits, Michael Damgaard scored reliably with eight goals. Striker Omar Ingi Magnusson and striker Magnus Saugstrup were also absent due to injury. As in the first leg, the German champions and the Polish top team Plock fought a hard-fought duel. It was only in the final minutes that Wiegert's team pulled away decisively. Goalkeeper Mike Jensen made several strong saves.
In addition to SCM, who are among the top four in the Champions League for the first time since the 2003/2004 season, the German record champions THW Kiel are fighting for a place in the semi-finals.
However, Filip Jicha's team faces a high hurdle: At Paris St. Germain, THW will have to make up a four-goal deficit from the first leg this Wednesday evening (20:45 CET on DAZN).