SC Magdeburg secured a dramatic 31–30 victory away against Balingen on Sunday. The reigning German champions struggled for large parts of the game but completed a late comeback, with Albin Lagergren scoring the decisive goal in the final second.
It was an unusually slow start from Magdeburg, who struggled to get either their attack or defence going in the opening stages. Balingen took advantage and built a four-goal lead at 10–6 after 15 minutes.
The visitors gradually found their rhythm towards the end of the first half, with Felix Claar playing a key role in getting the attack going. Magdeburg managed to cut the deficit to two goals before the break, and when the champions quickly levelled the score early in the second half, it looked like the game had turned in their favour.
But Balingen refused to give in. Yonatan Dayan was a constant threat for the home side and finished with seven goals, while Balingen continued to hold their own against the reigning champions.
With three minutes remaining, Balingen still held a 30–29 lead. However, that would be the home side’s final goal of the game.
Magdeburg tightened up defensively in the closing stages, allowing Matthias Musche to level the game from the penalty spot. Then, with just one second left on the clock, Lagergren stepped up and fired Magdeburg to a dramatic 31–30 victory.
Two valuable points keep Magdeburg’s perfect start to the Bundesliga season intact. Elsewhere, Kiel and Füchse Berlin were also pushed all the way, beating Göppingen and Stuttgart respectively by a single goal. Lemgo, meanwhile, claimed a convincing 36–29 away win against Bietigheim.
Bundesliga, September 6:
Göppingen 31–32 Kiel
Stuttgart 33–34 Füchse Berlin
Bietigheim 29–36 Lemgo
Balingen 30–31 SC Magdeburg