Despite clear victory: Magdeburg loses handball title

Despite a 35:25 (18:10) win at SG BBM Bietigheim, SC Magdeburg was unable to defend its title in the German Handball League. The Füchse Berlin won the parallel game at the Rhein-Neckar Löwen on the last matchday and thus secured the title for the first time. Next weekend, the SCM - just like the Füchse - will play in the Final Four of the Champions League for the last possible title of the season.

Bietigheim began with concentration in defense, benefited from technical mistakes by the SCM and even briefly led (2:1/5th). Magdeburg then pulled away for the first time, but Bietigheim managed to equalize (5:5/11th). The runners-up from Saxony-Anhalt then extended their lead to eight goals by the break with a strong goalkeeping performance and good defending.

Magdeburg came out of the break with a lack of concentration, missed its first seven attacks and Bietigheim reduced the deficit to six goals. Playmaker Felix Claar finally broke the spell and made it 19:12 in the 38th minute. Magdeburg then opened up a ten-goal gap for the first time (25:15/45). Bietigheim did not give up and made the SCM work hard, but the game was decided.