SG Flensburg-Handewitt finished their preparations on a high after edging German champions SC Magdeburg 33–32 in a tightly contested Wartburg Cup final on Sunday.
Two of Germany’s biggest clubs delivered exactly the kind of test both teams had been looking for before the competitive season begins.
Flensburg came out on top against Magdeburg in a 33–32 thriller in Eisenach, securing the Wartburg Cup after three demanding days of preseason handball. The result also gave SG a notable boost after they had lost to SC DHfK Leipzig in their second game of the tournament.
The final was close from start to finish. Magdeburg opened with a 3–1 lead after exploiting a few early Flensburg mistakes, but SG gradually settled into the game. The sides were level at 10–10 after 17 minutes before Flensburg moved ahead late in the first half, taking a 16–15 lead into the break.
Aleš Pajović’s side then managed to stay in front throughout the second half. Flensburg’s defence grew increasingly effective, while quick transitions helped the team establish a 22–20 lead in the 40th minute and later a 27–24 advantage. With four minutes remaining, Flensburg appeared to have created some breathing room at 31–28.
Magdeburg never gave up
Magdeburg, however, refused to go quietly. The German champions reduced the deficit to one goal at 32–33 and even regained possession with only seconds left on the clock. Benjamin Burić then made the decisive intervention, protecting Flensburg’s narrow victory with his final save of a ten-save performance.
Both sides are still building towards the competitive season, but while Flensburg can take momentum from beating the reigning German champions, Magdeburg now have little time to dwell on the loss. Their first competitive fixture is already on August 22, when they face Füchse Berlin in the German Super Cup. Flensburg, meanwhile, will have a little longer to prepare before their Bundesliga opener.