Defending champion SC Magdeburg kicks off the season with a win in Gummerbach

Defending champion SC Magdeburg has gotten off to a strong start in the Bundesliga season. The SCM struggled at times against former champion VfL Gummerbach but ultimately won 33:31 (18:14). Matthias Musche was the SCM’s top scorer with nine goals, including six penalty throws.

After winning the Handball Super Cup with a 38:31 victory over Füchse Berlin, Magdeburg started with great momentum, taking a 5:1 lead in the 6th minute. But time penalties, poor finishing, and saves by Gummersbach’s new goalkeeper, Ignacio Biosca, allowed the VfL to close the gap with a 3:0 run. The hosts tied the score at 13:13 (23rd minute). That was enough for coach Bennet Wiegert, who demanded more intensity during the timeout, as the SCM had received three time penalties while Gummersbach had none. With a 4–1 run, the champions got back on track and led by four goals at halftime. 

Schluroff makes life difficult for SCM

After the break, national team player Miro Schluroff took charge for the Oberberg team with four goals in a row; last season, they had lost only to SCM in their Schwalbe Arena (31:32). Gummersbach closed the gap to 20:21 (37th minute) thanks to Kay Smits. Magdeburg then stabilized their defense again. Up front, they executed their usual plays, and Gisli Kristjansson (24:21/44.) restored a three-goal lead. 

Substitute Dominik Kuzmanovic, a former Gummersbach player, then saved a penalty throw and kept the SCM on track for an away win, before Musche increased the lead to 28:23 (49th minute). But then Bertram Obling shut down the VfL goal and sent the crowd into a frenzy once again. But the SCM always had the better answer.