“We can’t rest on our laurels and have to throw everything into it”

Last Wednesday, SCM put in a furious performance, winning the quarter-final first leg in the Machineseeker EHF Champions League 35-28 at OTP Bank – PICK Szeged. With high efficiency in attack, a stable defense and the necessary composure in the heated Hungarian atmosphere, the team of Magdeburg coach Bennet Wiegert earned an excellent starting position. But despite the seven-goal lead, everyone involved is aware that nothing has been decided yet.

“We put in a good performance in the first half – but that’s all. Now it’s about performing at the top level for another 60 minutes. We want to win this game,” explained Wiegert ahead of the sold-out game on Thursday (18:45 CEST, Dyn). “The Final4 is our big goal. But Szeged also wants to go there. They will look for their chance and play with their sights open. That’s why the dynamics of the game will probably be different this time.”

The target is clear: SC Magdeburg aims for a fast-paced game from the start, and with consistency and passion does not want to give Szeged the opportunity to find their rhythm in the first place – especially with the support of the green and red fans.

“We played a good game in Hungary and sold ourselves dearly. Now we can’t rest on our laurels, or just manage the lead. This is the wrong approach. We have to play a good game again, concentrate on ourselves and throw everything into it,” said Gisli Kristjansson, who was one of the top scorers with seven goals in the first leg. “If we can do that, we will win and take the next big step. We definitely want to get into the Final4 and play for the title again.”