SC Magdeburg gained momentum for the difficult task in the Champions League at FC Barcelona with a win in the East derby against SC DHfK Leipzig. Four days before the top-flight clash in Spain, SCM won 35:29 (18:14) against Leipzig in the Bundesliga. As a result, the German double winners, who have played one game less, remain at the top of the league with 10:2 points.
The outstanding SCM scorer in front of 6,600 spectators in the sold-out Getec Arena was former Leipzig player Philipp Weber with ten goals under the watchful eye of national coach Alfred Gislason. Viggo Kristjansson (9/6) scored the best for Leipzig.
"We had a bit of trouble playing the 5:1, but then it was dominant what we put on the board," said SCM coach Bennet Wiegert. "We missed a lot of things. We didn't get into a fast-paced game at all. Our defense, goalkeeping and attack weren't good today," said a disgruntled Leipzig coach Rúnar Sigtryggsson.
The visitors from Leipzig began with an offensive 5:1 defense in order to disrupt the Elbe club's running routes early on. However, that did little to impress the SCM. Goalkeeper Sergej Hernandez, who was the match-winner against SG Flensburg-Handewitt with 16 saves, once again made a strong save at the back. He then gave the home side their first two-goal lead of the game (5:3) with a direct shot on goal after twelve minutes. But Weber, who had not been considered for the DHB team recently, also got off to a strong start, scoring his fourth goal after just a quarter of an hour to give his side their first four-goal lead (9:5). But the Saxons were not able to shake off any more until the break.
