Magdeburg also loses the first leg
THW Kiel suffers a terrible defeat in the Champions League
April 24, 2024, 10:53 p.m
The two German representatives in the Champions League are threatened with elimination in the quarter-finals. SC Magdeburg narrowly loses in Poland, THW Kiel goes down in France. The handball heavyweights now have to turn the tide in their own hall in order to make it to the Final Four.
Defending champion SC Magdeburg has to worry, the German record champion THW Kiel is about to be eliminated after a clear slap: The Bundesliga duo suffered defeats in the quarter-final first legs of the Handball Champions League. Magdeburg lost to Polish champions Industria Kielce 26:27 (13:14), Kiel lost to Montpellier HB from France 30:39 (16:20). In the second leg on May 2nd (6.45 p.m./DAZN and Dyn) THW needs a sensational comeback to reach the final tournament in Cologne (June 8th/9th).
Magdeburg can live with the narrow defeat after an intense duel in Kielce. The second leg will take place on May 1st (8.45 p.m./DAZN and Dyn). “It’s only half time. We still have one game in Magdeburg. That’s the most important thing at the moment,” said Gisli Kristjansson, who scored six goals. The most successful Magdeburg thrower was Felix Claar, who beat Andreas Wolff eight times in the hosts’ goal.
The former European champion, who is supposedly being courted by Magdeburg, did not have an outstanding game; he only made 8 saves in 30 shots at goal. Nevertheless, the Bundesliga leaders rarely found a way to counter Poland’s strong defense. Despite the early red card for Dylan Nahi (10th minute), they secured a narrow victory and a good starting position for the second leg.
But the people of Magdeburg remain confident. “That was just the first part of the game,” said goalkeeper Sergey Hernandez, adding: “One goal difference is not what we would like, but Kielce are pretty strong at home. We will analyze what we did wrong, and fix it next week.” Shortly before the end, Kielce’s Michal Olejniczak seriously injured his knee in an unfortunate defensive action.
Kiel cannot find a path to success in Montpellier
Kiel will also try that and has its hands full with it. In Montpellier, the four-time champion was inferior in all respects. Now the first titleless season since 2018 is looming. Eric Johansson was Kiel’s best thrower with eight goals. Lucas Pellas and Yanis Lenne were each successful seven times for the hosts. In the second leg on May 2nd, coach Filip Jicha’s team needs a little handball miracle in their own hall in order to make it to the semi-finals.
The THW had to make do in southern France without playmaker Elias Ellefsen á Skipagötu, whose knee problems prevented him from playing. At the beginning, the North Germans withstood the pressure from the hosts well. But then Montpellier became stronger. Goalkeeper Remis Desbonnet scored to make it 10:7 (14th minute). Even the red card against Marko Panic, who had attacked Johansson too harshly, did not upset Montpellier. When they were outnumbered, the lead was extended to 13:8 (17th).
The second half also determined Montpellier. At 19:26 (38th), coach Jicha took a time out and encouraged his players. “We need a bit of fire. Believe me, nothing is lost,” said the 42-year-old Czech. By the final whistle, the deficit had grown to nine goals. The Schleswig-Holsteiners face an extremely difficult task in the second leg.