Successful coach Bennet Wiegert gives SCM a glowing report ahead of the Final 4 tournament

Successful coach Bennet Wiegert has given the SC Magdeburg handball team a glowing report ahead of the Final 4 tournament in the Champions League. "The boys have the winning gene in them. That makes me proud, because I want to coach a team that radiates something and shows face," Wiegert said of his team on Friday.

The defending champions go into the semi-final against Denmark's champions Aalborg HB in Cologne on Saturday (15:00/DAZN and Dyn) as favorites and with great confidence. "I know that there is a very, very fine line between self-confidence and arrogance and that it has to be struck. But I'd rather take a touch of arrogance than feel insecure," said Wiegert about working with his protégés.

The SCM have already won three titles this season - the Club World Cup, the DHB Cup and the German championship - and are accordingly highly rated at the finals. "I've never said that SC Magdeburg is perhaps the best team in the world. But you can't defend yourself against public perception. We have earned this reputation in the past. I'd rather take the role of favorite than be a blatant outsider," said Wiegert.