Aalborg was the better team for almost most of the game, but Magdeburg came back strong, and an amazing Champions League game finished 33–33.
What an amazing game we witnessed in Aalborg this evening. Even though both teams are missing players (Niklas Landin and Henrik Møllgaard for Aalborg, Tim Hornke, Felix Claar, and Philipp Weber for Magdeburg), the game was top-notch.
But in his return to Aalborg for the first time since leaving the club for Magdeburg a few years ago, Magnus Saugstrup did not get the win. Aalborg started the game in great fashion, and Lukas Nilsson had a massive half with five goals in just 20 minutes of play. The Swedish left back scored at will, and Magdeburg had a hard time keeping up.
Luckily for Magdeburg, Nikola Portner had a great half in goal. Even though the Swiss international saved eight shots, Aalborg had a four-goal lead at the half, leading 17–13.
For Magdeburg, it was quite obvious that Claar was missing. Gisli Kristjanssons first half was not bad, but it was not his best, and the away side’s attacking play, with him and Omar Ingi Magnusson in particular, played too individually.
The start of the second half did not look any different. Aalborg played smart, and even though the two-minute suspensions were far too many considering how the game was played (14 in total, 7 for each team), they could take a firm lead, 23–18, 10 minutes into the second half.
The big difference for Magdeburg in the second half? Kristjansson. The Icelandic started to look like himself again and dominated for a Magdeburg side that came back to 29–29.
At that point, Aalborg’s attacking play had derailed a bit when Nilsson was out taking a breather at the bench for a while. Aalborg needed him tonight, which his seven goals and five assists are proof of.
The ending of the game was nerv thrilling. Hoxer made it 33–32, and Manuel Zehnder scored the equalizer via penalty shortly thereafter. Aalborg took a timeout with 17 seconds left but never got a great shot off.
A top game between two sides that might play in Cologne in June next year.