- Fresh personnel join the championship squads SC Magdeburg and Vice Foxes
Magdeburg/Berlin (dpa) -
Star Forward Manuel Zehnder
This move caused as much of a stir as it did shock. While HC Erlangen was engaged in a legal dispute with Eisenach over the validity of Zehnder's contract termination, all out-of-court negotiations also failed. A high buy-out fee was not feasible for the Thuringians, who had received a commitment from the Bundesliga's top scorer to remain. After the negotiations fell through, German champions SC Magdeburg swooped in and secured the services of the Swiss national player. "His style of play complements SC Magdeburg perfectly. Plus, Manuel is only 24 and still has a lot of room to grow, making this a forward-thinking decision," said head coach Bennet Wiegert. Zehnder emphasized that "I live for fast-paced handball and one-on-one situations."
Wiegert's Protege Tim Zechel
Wiegert knew Tim Zechel from his time as the former youth coordinator at SCM. "I was hesitant to let him go back then," the head coach said, following his former protege's career closely. After Lucas Meister's departure, he seized the opportunity and signed the 27-year-old German national player from HC Erlangen. Zechel is expected to grow alongside world-class players Magnus Saugstrup and Oscar Bergendahl. "I want to learn as much as possible, but I also don't want to hide," said Zechel, who has returned to the Elbe after 11 years.
Spanish Defensive Boost with Antonio Serradilla
He fought hard for this opportunity. Spanish national player Antonio Serradilla, who underwent a retina detachment and had his right eyeball removed in April 2021 due to a tumor, is a significant boost to the defense at 1.98 meters tall. For him, this is a dream come true. For Wiegert, the proven concept of a strong squad is perfectly embodied by the 25-year-old, who joins from Elverum Handball.
Replacement for Hornke and Pettersson: Isak Persson
The Olympics in Paris brought bad news for Magdeburg. First, right wing Tim Hornke suffered an injury, then his teammate Daniel Pettersson was affected. In response, the 24-year-old Swedish right wing Isak Persson was signed. He was without a club after his time at Bergischer HC. "Given the upcoming tasks in all competitions, this was a fortuitous turn of events," said Wiegert.
Veteran Tobias Reichmann for Lindberg
Berlin also reacted to the departure of right wing Hans Lindberg, signing former European champion (2016) and 106-time national player Tobias Reichmann. "He is a very accurate shooter and has athletic abilities," praised sports director Stefan Kretzschmar. Reichmann's greatest club successes include two German championships and two Champions League victories with THW Kiel, as well as three Polish championships, three cup wins, and one King's Cup with Industria Kielce. He also won bronze with the German national team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
U21 World Champion considered a goalkeeper prodigy with a bright future. Lasse Ludwig, set to take over from starting keeper Dejan Milosavljev after Viktor Kireev's departure, showcased his talent last season with then-second-division VfL Potsdam. Now, the 21-year-old is set to take the next step in his development with Berlin's big brother. "Lasse Ludwig brings a calm and composed demeanor to the game and defense, providing the necessary security. He's a true clutch player," praised Füchse CEO Bob Hanning.
VfL Potsdam's Top Scorer Max Beneke
Max Beneke, last season's top scorer, was one of the standout players. With 291 goals, the "Rookie of the Season" award-winning right back played a significant role in VfL Potsdam's Bundesliga promotion. Now, the powerful left-hander is back with the Füchse and aims to complement World Handballer Mathias Gidsel perfectly. "In the past, I was more of a substitute at Füchse Berlin and only occasionally integrated. Now, I want to be a permanent fixture in the team," said Beneke about his goals.
Following the departure of Hans Lindberg, SC Berlin signed former European champion and experienced national player Tobias Reichmann. Reichmann's impressive records with THW Kiel and Industria Kielce, including multiple championships and cup victories, will be a valuable addition to the team.
Amidst the injuries to Tim Hornke and Daniel Pettersson, German club Magdeburg signed Swedish right wing Isak Persson. With a successful stint at Bergischer HC behind him, Persson's arrival will provide much-needed reinforcement in all competitions during this crucial period.
