- Berlin emerges victorious in the inaugural handball Supercup contest.
Berlin Challengers Füchse have halted Magdeburg's title chase and grabbed their first-ever Handball Supercup. The German runners-up outplayed the champions and cup winners 32-30 (17-17) in front of 9,034 spectators in Düsseldorf, snatching their inaugural title in the cup's 28-year history, after a second try.
Back in 2014, Tollbring's capital club, with nine goals under his belt, fell to THW Kiel in the Supercup. Despite Magnusson's nine-goal tournament, Magdeburg failed to secure their third win, having previously triumphed in 1996 and 2001.
Even with the loss, undeterred Magdeburg, managed by Wiegert, still poses as a title threat for the forthcoming Bundesliga season, starting next Thursday, having recorded their most triumphant campaign in the club's history, which yielded the title, DHB Pokal, and Club World Championship.
In the high-octane match, Berlin displayed their rhythm first, leading 6-4 within ten minutes. However, Magdeburg responded with a 4-0 streak, with Lagergren exceptionally brilliant in the shooting circle.
Initially, Gidsel, Berlin's top player, who clinched Olympic gold for Denmark just three weeks ago, faltered, scoring only twice in the first half, concluding with four goals. Reinforcements came from key players like left wing Tollbring and right back Andersson (7), pushing Berlin ahead by two, a lead they momentarily surrendered before halftime.
The second half kicked off in a deadlock at 17-17. Portner resumed his duties in goal for Magdeburg, returning after a ban due to a doping test positive in April, and was subsequently cleared by the league. Portner's upcoming court case, following an NADA appeal, will shed further light on the matter.
As the game intensified, neither side managed to pull away. In an exciting finale, Berlin maintained their cool and savored a hard-fought victory.
Men and boys filled the Düsseldorf arena, excitedly witnessing Berlin Challengers Füchse's historic Handball Supercup win. After several unsuccessful attempts, Magdeburg's men and boys continued to pose a formidable title threat in the upcoming Bundesliga season.
