Magdeburg starts successfully in the Wartburg Cup

In the opening game of the tournament in the Werner-Aßmann-Halle, both sides relied on the pace despite high summer temperatures. After three minutes played, the scoreboard already reported a 3:2 for SCM. With a strong Dominik Kuzmanovic in goal, the lead could be further extended. Matthias Musche scored from the seven-metre line to make it 5-2 (6th), Oskar Vind increased to 8-4 (9th) and Gisli Kristjansson made it plus five (10-5, 13th).

Bennet Wiegert tried out moves again. With four backcourt players, the coach initially dispensed with a circle runner and thus repeatedly presented the Lemgo defense with new challenges. Kristjansson and Co., meanwhile, skilfully used the spaces they had gained. In the 23rd minute, Felix Claar made it 18-12. Again with Pivot, it continued in a similar way: Oscar Bergendahl scored shortly before the break to make it 19-12 (27th).

In the second half, the playing time was further distributed, Daniel Pettersson and Matthias Musche came on the wings. Felix Claar also got more playing time in attack, while Kristjansson got some rest. This did little to change the game – also because substitute Matej Mandic seamlessly followed Kuzmanovic’s performance between the posts. Philipp Weber entered the statistics shortly after the restart with two more goals (22-15, 33rd) and although SCM allowed themselves a few inaccuracies in the meantime, it remained clear (24-20, 42nd).

“Of course it’s getting better and better, but I’m very happy with our performance.”

A good quarter of an hour before the end, Magnus Saugstrup came onto the field for the first time and strengthened the team once again, with Kristjansson and Claar acting together in the back area offensively. As a result, the lead increased to 31-23 (50th) and the Green-Reds brought the victory safely to the finish.

Elvar Örn Jonsson: “I think we solved it well today. We were good in defence, picked up the pace and always found solutions offensively – even though we are still in the preparatory process and testing things. Of course, it’s always getting better, but I’m very happy with our performance.”

SATURDAY AGAINST THE HOSTS

The Wartburg Cup continues against host ThSV Eisenach. Coach Sebastian Hinze’s team has changed a bit in terms of personnel this year. Philipp Meyer, Timothy Reichmuth, Max Benecke, Vincent Büchner and Alexander Saul have left the club, but David Moré, Elias Scholtes, Felix Montebovi and Mats Grupe are now part of the squad. The Thuringians will play their first game of the tournament on Friday evening (8 p.m.) against SG Flensburg-Handewitt.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 6 p.m.