German U18 wins European Championship gold with four SCM players

For the German U18 national team, an extremely successful tournament ended on Sunday. In Belgrade, the team of national coach Erik Wudtke fought against Slovenia for the European Championship title. Four players from SC Magdeburg took part: captain Malte Elze and Tim Thielicke from the professional squad as well as Mats Brigzinsky and Elvis Kretzschmar from the A-Youth. Despite setbacks, the team secured the title in the end.

In the preliminary round, Italy, hosts Serbia and Turkey were waiting. Then it continued in the main round before Germany met Iceland in the quarterfinals. There, the team showed strong nerves in a hard-fought duel and prevailed 33-31. Elze and Thielicke played an important role in this: Together they scored 13 goals!

It was similarly exciting in the semi-finals. After a mixed first half, the team improved in the second half and secured their place in the final with a win against Spain.

STATEMENT IN THE FINAL

There, Slovenia was the last opponent on the way to the gold medal. Germany initially fell behind 8-5 (15th), but then turned up the heat. By half-time, the DHB selection had gained a 17-11 lead. After the break, the lead continued to grow. Thielicke converted a penalty in the 37th minute to make it 22-13. Germany did not let the victory (36-27) be taken away from them and crowned themselves with the title.

This ends a successful tournament with the greatest possible success for the four SCM talents: European champions with the German U18s.

Extra Bonus: Malte Elze was voted into the all-star team as the best circle runner.

QUOTES AFTER THE GAME

Tim Thielicke: “We were a classic tournament team. I think the special thing about us was that we started the tournament with these weak phases. But that’s exactly what made us stand out as a team in the end. We came together more and more and got extremely through the defence. If one needed a break, the next one came and fulfilled his tasks. That made us incredibly strong as a team. It was the same in the final. Now it just feels incredibly good.”

“We were already out of the tournament with one foot and then come back really strong. That was brutally good.”

Malte Elze: “I am very satisfied and proud that we can now fly home with the gold medal. What we have delivered here is remarkable. We were already out of the tournament with one foot and then come back really strong. That was brutally good. Everyone performed, the bench was always ready and everyone left everything on the record. Now, of course, the joy prevails and we have plenty of reason to celebrate.”

GERMANY’S PATH THROUGH THE U18 EURO

Preliminary round
Germany vs. Italy 48:26
Germany vs. Serbia 27:27
Turkey vs. Germany 23:45

Main round
Slovenia vs. Germany 30:28
Germany vs. France 28:29

Quarterfinals
Iceland vs. Germany 31:33

Semi-finals
Germany vs. Spain 32:27

Final
Germany vs. Slovenia 36:27