Magdeburg wins HBL opener in Gummersbach

It went straight into the full. Although Gummersbach started physically present in defence, the Magdeburg seven kept looking for their gaps. Felix Claar was the first to enter the goal statistics, after a save by Dominik Kuzmanovic, Magnus Saugstrup followed up over the second wave. In the eighth minute, coach Bennet Wiegert’s team pulled away for the first time with five (7-2). While the efficiency remained high offensively, a strong defensive bar provided the necessary support. Once again, the hosts were forced to lose the ball or make unfavourable finishes.

As convincing as SCM’s initial phase was, Gummersbach was alert when the Green-Reds made mistakes. After 23 minutes played, VfL equalized at 13-13. But Magdeburg was not deterred. First Matthias Musche was on the spot from the seven-metre line, then Gisli Kristjansson scored to make it 15-13 (25th). Until the break, there was again a small buffer (18-14).

After halftime, the game continued at speed. While Gummersbach came through the back area, SCM distributed the goal threat to several positions. But because Magdeburg sprinkled in a few inaccurate passes, the game took on new tension (21-20, 37th). The sold-out Schwalbe Arena provided energy from the stands – but SC Magdeburg remained in the lead.

Kristjansson scored with his seventh goal to date to make it 25-22 and although Gummersbach continued to fight and presented itself strongly in front of its own crowd, Bennet Wiegert’s team kept the upper hand. Claar extended the lead to 27-23 (48th), Musche scored the 28-23 (49th) and SCM did not give up the victory until the final whistle.