A nearly injury-free SC Magdeburg proved too tough a challenge for Bundesliga champions Füchse Berlin. With their trademark high-tempo attack led by Gisli Kristjansson and Felix Claar, and a standout performance in goal by Sergey Hernandez, Magdeburg clinched their second EHF Champions League title in three years.
Just two weeks ago, Gisli Kristjansson suffered a significant shoulder injury. Yet on Sunday night, he was at the heart of Magdeburg’s attack – and, alongside Claar and Hernandez, one of the game’s best players. Kristjansson scored three of Magdeburg’s first five goals, setting the tone early.
While Berlin started slightly better, it was Magdeburg’s defensive effort that swung the game in their favor. Offensively, the Kristjansson–Claar duo outperformed Berlin’s stars Mathias Gidsel and Lasse Andersson.
Magdeburg claimed the game’s first three-goal lead in the first half, and when Dejan Milosavljev was substituted late in the half, he had failed to make a single save from twelve shots.
Sergey Hernandez wasn’t flawless in the first 30 minutes but was clearly superior to Berlin’s goalkeepers. Magdeburg went into halftime up 16–12, largely thanks to Claar and Kristjansson.
Hernandez – a wall in the second half
The second half began with some drama. Hernandez made a few key saves, but Antonio Serradilla was shown a red card for a blow to Berlin’s Mijajlo Marsenic. How would Magdeburg respond? Just fine, as it turned out – Oscar Bergendahl stepped in and continued to neutralize Gidsel.
Lasse Ludwig made a solid appearance in goal for Berlin, but it wasn’t enough. Hernandez stepped up even more and became a wall in the second half.
When the match was there to be decided, it was once again Kristjansson and Claar who delivered – both putting in outstanding performances.
Magdeburg eventually pulled away and secured a 32–26 victory, earning their second Champions League title in just three seasons.