Despite numerous absentees, SC Magdeburg have their sights set on defending their title in the German Handball League. The team from the city on the Elbe won 28:25 (17:11) at Frisch Auf Göppingen in front of 4,800 spectators. The best SCM scorer was Felix Claar with seven goals. Magdeburg are still three points adrift of league leaders Melsungen.
Magdeburg were without their long-term injured players and playmaker Gisli Kristjansson, but were able to rely on Philipp Weber again, although they were still missing a skilled right-back. Without Kristjansson's breakthroughs, the SCM was extremely wing-heavy at the start, scoring four of its first five goals from the wing. When Göppingen made too many mistakes with a seventh outfield player, Magdeburg pulled four goals ahead (8:4/12th). Göppingen reduced the deficit in the meantime, but SCM was clearly ahead at the break.
Magdeburg also played out its attacks for a long time after the break, dispensing with fast-paced play. As against Aalborg, defensive specialist Antonio Seradilla also played in attack, complementing Philipp Weber and Felix Claar. Göppingen's Ymir Örn Gislason was shown the red card after a foul on Matthias Musche (40'). The SCM did not allow the home side to close the gap to six goals and kept it constant, with Magnus Saugstrup repeatedly asserting himself in the circle. It was only in the final minutes that Göppingen managed to make up for lost time, but SCM took the points.
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