“The cup is always a different game”

Only ten days after the success in the Opel Handball Bundesliga, the next duel between SC Magdeburg and HSG Wetzlar will take place in the GETEC Arena. It was not until September 13 that SCM prevailed 38-30 in the sold-out GETEC Arena at home. Especially in the first half, Bennet Wiegert’s team showed a strong performance. After 20 minutes, Magdeburg was already leading 17-10. Offensive efficiency, a strong tempo game and Dominik Kuzmanović in goal made things clear early on.

“That was a good game that we could have won even more. But I don’t know if we can take that much from it,” said SCM coach Bennet Wiegert before the game on Wednesday (7 p.m., tickets online and at the box office). “At Wetzlar, maybe a few players will come back and that can change the game again. Especially since it’s a cup game. It’s not about goals, it’s about winning and progressing.”

For SCM, the second round is the entry into this year’s DHB Cup. Wetzlar, on the other hand, was already challenged in the first round and won 33-28 at VfL Eintracht Hagen in the opener. In the league, on the other hand, the sense of success was rare. After five games, only one point has been scored – by the 31-31 win in their own hall against ThSV Eisenach. Runar Sigtryggsson’s team should be all the more motivated against SCM in the cup.

“We know what this hall can do for us”

Accordingly, the knockout game leaves no room for phases of weakness. “We have to go back to the tempo. If we can do it the way we did in the Bundesliga game, it should look good for us in the cup as well,” Magdeburg left winger Lukas Mertens looks ahead. “Nevertheless, the cup is always a different game.”

Last but not least, the GETEC Arena should be a supporting factor in the duel: “I’m glad that we have a home game. That takes the stress out of traveling,” explains Wiegert, adding: “Here we have our fans behind us. We know what this hall can do for us here – but we also have to do our part. And of course we want to do that.”

For SC Magdeburg, the game against Wetzlar should be the first step towards Cologne. The Lidl Final4 will be played there on April 10 and 11, 2027, and thus also the playoffs for the cup.