Champions League game - Sad ending for handball pair in elite division.
In the heartbreaking loss during their effort to win Europe's Handball championship, SC Magdeburg's pride mingled with the pain. At THW Kiel, however, dismay and confusion prevailed over a devastating blunder.
While Magdeburg's previous titleholder couldn't conclude a remarkable season with three titles due to the 26:28 defeat against Aalborg HB in the Champions League semifinals, the disastrous 18:30 against FC Barcelona punctuated a trophyless season for Kiel.
Even the well-deserved 32:28 (23:14) victory against the German champion and cup winner yesterday at the Final-Four tournament in Cologne couldn't change anything, as the Kielers were only able to secure the consolation prize. The Catalans, thanks to a thrilling 31:30 (15:15) win against Aalborg, won the most prestigious trophy in European club handball for the eleventh time.
A tough lesson at the fjord awaits.
"That was a brutal hit. This defeat is extremely difficult for me," shared THW coach Filip Jicha after the loss to Barcelona. Circle runner Patrick Wiencek added, "To come out like this in the semi-finals is very painful. We can't look like this. We all feel empty."
The unfortunate season performance will lead to consequences at the fjord. The future of Jicha, whose contract runs until the summer of 2026, is uncertain. He himself hopes to continue, stating, "I know I'm a servant of this club and my time is limited. As long as I serve, I'll give everything."
Kiel's managing director Viktor Szilagyi initially avoided addressing the coach's fate. "We need to draw the right conclusions. This doesn't mean any hasty decisions one might expect in such a situation," said Szilagyi.
Kiel will not be a part of the top league next season; as the fourth-placed team in the Bundesliga, they will only compete in the European League. Captain Domagoj Duvnjak immediately shifted to an offensive stance following the loss to Barcelona: "I think we'll demonstrate better handball."
Szilagyi also harbors high hopes for the future. "We need to learn from our mistakes and make many adjustments," said the Austrian, adding, "Sometimes negative experiences can also shape and make you stronger. It's about being better than the competition in the future."
Magdeburg, on the other hand, is ahead of this on a national level. The team, which also won the club world championship along with the championship and the DHB cup, missed out on the historic quadruple.
"We've had a wonderful season. That remains," said Magdeburg's successful coach Bennet Wiegert. The disappointment in the face of failure weighed heavily, "[The team] that arrives here wants to win the cup. That's why we're incredibly upset," remarked left-back Matthias Musche about the atmosphere.
In spite of being at the peak of their season, Magdeburg couldn't maintain the intensity of their feared tempo handball. "We weren't at our best. This hurts. We need to give some space to this sports pain," said Wiegert about the heartbreaking loss to Aalborg.
Their protégés also shared the disappointment. "I'm very upset and sad that we weren't better here. They played well because they have some of the best decision-makers in the world," said circle defender Magnus Saugstrup. His teammate Gisli Kristjansson added, "We wanted to accomplish more this weekend, but we didn't have the momentum in this game."
Nonetheless, the Magdeburgers left Cologne with their heads held high until their break. "This has been the best season of all time," said Musche and vowed, "We'll attack from the first day next season."
Champions League schedule and results: SC Magdeburg THW Kiel
Team rosters
Team rosters
