DistantNews
Support us
SC Magdeburg Eliminated from Champions League After Semi-Final Loss to Füchse Berlin
🇩🇪 Germany /Sports

SC Magdeburg Eliminated from Champions League After Semi-Final Loss to Füchse Berlin

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • SC Magdeburg lost to Füchse Berlin 35-40 in the Champions League semi-final, failing to defend their title.
  • A missed Kempa trick attempt by Magdeburg was identified as a key turning point in the match.
  • The team will now play for third place against Aalborg in what will be the final game for several departing players.

SC Magdeburg's hopes of defending their Champions League title were dashed after a 35-40 semi-final defeat to Füchse Berlin in front of 20,122 spectators at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.

I am very, very sad for now. It just hurts right now and I'm trying to pull myself together first.

— Matthias MuscheExpressing his immediate feelings after the semi-final loss.

The German champions were unable to overcome their rivals, with a crucial moment identified as an intercepted Kempa trick attempt by Berlin's Matthias Gidsel. Magdeburg had an opportunity to take a two-goal lead, but the failed attempt allowed Berlin to go on a scoring run.

For me, that is the key scene. The Kempa has often helped us this season, no criticism for that.

— Bennet WiegertIdentifying the missed Kempa trick as a critical turning point in the match.

"For me, that is the key scene," said Magdeburg coach Bennet Wiegert, who missed out on his twelfth title in ten years. "The Kempa has often helped us this season, no criticism for that." Magdeburg player Matthias Musche lamented the missed opportunity, stating, "90 percent of the time, such a Kempa goes in. They defended it well - and in the end, it's one situation in 60 minutes."

90 percent of the time, such a Kempa goes in. They defended it well - and in the end, it's one situation in 60 minutes.

— Matthias MuscheCommenting on the missed Kempa trick and acknowledging Berlin's defense.

Despite the disappointment, Wiegert acknowledged that Magdeburg had a "huge season." However, he admitted it "doesn't feel like it right now." The team will now compete for third place against Danish side Aalborg. This match will mark the final appearance for captain Christian O'Sullivan, national player Tim Hornke, goalkeeper Sergey Hernandez, and a total of seven players departing the club.

We can't just say it's because of that. The game lasted 60 minutes and we can do many things better.

— Magnus SaugstrupReflecting on the loss and emphasizing the need for overall improvement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.