handball
Berlin and Magdeburg play on the European League titles
Berlin player Paul Drox (left) and Kim Ekdal de Reitz of Ryan Neckar-Lewin compete for the ball.
Photo: dpa
Mannheim. German handball clubs Fuchsch Berlin and Magdeburg play for the first European League title.
The capital club won the second semi-final match against host Ryan Necker Löwen in Mannheim with a time of 35:32 (19:16). Previously, Magdeburg defeated Polish actor Wesla Block by 30:29 (13:15).
Berliners were fully awake from the start and took advantage of an early stage of the vulnerability of the Lions, who drove Swedish Kim Eckdal de Reitz out of retirement about a year later. After a balanced start stage, Mannheim failed to score for eight minutes, so the Füchse squad walked away from 4: 3 to 11: 3.
Berliners, who scored their best shots at Lasse Andersson (11 goals), and patriots Fabian Wiede and Jacob Holm (both 6), took advantage of this lead until the end of the match. As for the Lions, where coach Martin Schwalbe said goodbye at the end of the season without a title, Jerry Tolbring succeeded seven times.
Magdeburg ran into a big problem against Block. Just 20 minutes before the match ended, Bennett Wegert’s side took control of the match, advancing again for the first time since a 1-0 victory. Thanks to the fast mixed game and successfully completed counterattacks as well as increased defense, the three-time competition winner (EHF Cup) achieved victory over time.
“It was a difficult match and a difficult battle. We now have a great chance to win the title and we want to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Wiggert. The best SCM shooters were Omar Magnuson and Michael Damgaard with six hits each.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210522-99-706356 / 3