German champions versus Bundesliga runners-up – that’s the setup for tonight’s Champions League final. GoHandballs reporter Ola Selby has assessed both teams and rated their squads ahead of the highly anticipated showdown.
It promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable final. Füchse Berlin have been the stronger team for most of the season, boasting superstar Mathias Gidsel in their ranks and having claimed the Bundesliga title. Magdeburg, on the other hand, have surged in form in recent weeks thanks to key players returning from injury, and they bring more big-game experience to the table.
Ola Selby has rated the two squads and gives one team a slight edge heading into the final.
Dejan Milosavljev is a somewhat inconsistent goalkeeper, but as he showed in the semifinal, when he’s at his best, he’s one of the top keepers in the world. Behind him is unproven Lasse Ludwig.
For Magdeburg, Sergey Hernandez has been the first choice all season and has performed well, but it was Nikola Portner who stepped up with a standout performance against Barcelona.
Edge: Even. Magdeburg has the stronger duo, but Berlin has the best individual goalkeeper.
The rating here could have been lower due to Jerry Tollbring’s early-season injury, but Tim Freihöfer has stepped in brilliantly. As backup, Berlin also has the experienced Croatian Manuel Strlek.
Lukas Mertens is a solid player for Magdeburg – a German international – but he’s now alone at the position after Matthias Musche’s injury.
Advantage: Berlin.
Max Darj and Mijajlo Marsenic are both crucial for Berlin. Darj anchors the defense, while Marsenic sees more offensive minutes. Very close to a top rating.
Magdeburg counters with Magnus Saugstrup – arguably the best line player in the world alongside Ludovic Fabregas – and if he doesn’t deliver, Oscar Bergendahl is waiting. He’s another top-tier pivot.
Slight edge: Magdeburg.
Berlin is a bit thin here. Faroese talent Hakun West av Teigum is a very good player, likely deserving of a four-star rating on his own. But if he’s off his game, Leo Prantner is the backup in the absence of injured Valter Chrintz.
Magdeburg’s Tim Hornke proved his nerve in the semifinal, scoring the game-winner and showcasing his underrated quality. Daniel Pettersson is also a strong option.
Advantage: Magdeburg.
Lasse Andersson has made major strides this season, benefiting – like everyone else – from playing with Mathias Gidsel. Behind him is exciting prospect Matthes Langhoff, a Berlin player likely to become a German senior international in the future.
Felix Claar played much of the semifinal against Barcelona at left back, and when he’s there, it’s a five-star rating. But he’s primarily a center back. Magdeburg also has shooters Philipp Weber and Michael Damgaard in the position, though they rarely feature.
Slight edge: Berlin.
Nils Lichtlein is more or less alone at center back for Berlin, though Fabian Wiede occasionally fills in. Lichtlein was part of the German youth team that won a European title a few years ago and is smart, tough, and technically skilled.
Felix Claar and Gisli Kristjansson are among the very best in the world at this position. No other team has two such top-class options.
Advantage: Magdeburg.
This one’s easy. Mathias Gidsel earns Berlin the highest possible grade. The star received a red card in the semifinal and will be fully rested for the final. As backup, Fabian Wiede – who impressed in the semifinal – is more than capable.
Omar Ingi Magnusson is a goal machine, and the fact that Albin Lagergren – arguably just as good – comes off the bench for about 20 minutes a game says it all about Magdeburg’s strength on the right.
Edge: Even. Two incredibly strong options.
Jaron Siewert just led Berlin to its first Bundesliga title. At just 31 years old, he has helped build a formidable team. Still underrated in my view, he appears to balance decisiveness with openness to ideas from others.
Bennet Wiegert has won the Champions League, the European League, the Bundesliga, and the German Cup. Simply one of the best.
Edge: Magdeburg.
Despite Berlin winning the Bundesliga this season, I still consider Magdeburg the stronger team overall. But Berlin has Mathias Gidsel – and that tends to be decisive.
While I rank Magdeburg as slight favourites, this is without question a final that could go either way.