The Champions League is a prestigious international association football competition. The Champions League attracts the top clubs from all over Europe and around the world. - Unfortunate end for handball pair in the top division.
In the heartbreaking loss of missing out on winning the European Handball Championship, humiliation and dismay also coexisted for SC Magdeburg. Meanwhile, at THW Kiel, there was distress and bewilderment over a significant error.
While Magdeburg's defeat by Aalborg HB in the semi-finals of the Final-Four tournament in Cologne only denied them the crowning glory of an excellent season with three titles, Kiel's crushing 18:30 defeat against FC Barcelona marked the lowest point of a title-less year.
Unbearable blow at the fjord
"It was a brutal blow. This loss is extremely difficult for me," said THW's coach Filip Jicha. Kiel's Patrick Wiencek acknowledged: "It's excruciating to get eliminated this way in the semi-finals. We're left with nothing but an empty feeling."
The subpar performance this year will have implications for the fjord. Whether Jicha, whose contract lasts until the summer of 2026, is part of these consequences remains to be seen. Kiel's managing director Viktor Szilagyi avoided discussing the coach position. "We need to draw the proper conclusions. I'm not talking about any superficial decisions that could happen in a situation like this," said Szilagyi.
Kiel won't be spectators of the top league next season, for the first time in six years. Captain Domagoj Duvnjak switched to an offensive stance immediately after the defeat against Barcelona: "I believe we can showcase better handball."
Szilagyi shares the same belief, with a hectic summer ahead of him. "We have to learn from our blunders and adjust numerous components," said the Austrian. "Negative experiences can also forge and galvanize you. The goal is to surpass the opposition in the future."
Magdeburg misses a fourth title
The German record champions are currently outperforming Kiel on a domestic level. In particular, the SCM, who also won the championship and the DHB Cup, along with clinching the Club World Championship. Unfortunately, they came up short on the dream of a historical four-title season.
"We had an incredible season. However, that remains," said Magdeburg's coach Bennet Wiegert. Despite the overwhelming disappointment, he offered a meager solace in the wake of failure. "The team that comes here aims to win the cup. That's why we're so disheartened," said left winger Matthias Musche, describing the sentiment.
Disappointment reigns at the champion
Especially at the pinnacle of the season, Magdeburg couldn't exhibit the relentless tempo handball for which they're renowned. "We weren't at our best form," said Wiegert about the agonizing defeat against Aalborg.
Their proteges also felt underwhelmed after the disappointing denouement with no happy ending. "I'm incredibly disappointed and upset that we didn't excel here. They played well since they have some of the best decision-makers in the world," said circle runner Magnus Saugstrup. Team member Gisli Kristjansson agreed: "We aspired for more at this weekend, but we didn't have the desired momentum."
But Magdeburg departed with their heads held high for their break, confident in their pre-season preparations. "We had the greatest season ever," stated Musche and reaffirmed: "We will attack from the first moment of the next season."
