SC Magdeburg on course for EHF FINAL4 after big win in Szeged

SC Magdeburg are well placed to reach the EHF Champions League Final4 after a convincing 35:28 away win over OTP Bank-PICK Szeged.

The German side made the most of Szeged’s injury problems, with Lazar Kukić and Richard Bodó both missing, to build a seven-goal advantage ahead of the second leg next week.

Szeged stayed close in the first half, trailing only 15:14 at the break, but Magdeburg raised the tempo after the restart and took full control. Felix Claar and Ómar Ingi Magnússon led the visitors’ attack, while the Bundesliga side showed far more depth and stability in the decisive moments.

Sostaric scored nine goals for Szeged, while Mackovsek added seven. For Magdeburg, Lagergren and Kristjánsson scored seven each, Claar added six and Magnússon five.

In the other quarter-final, Sporting and Aalborg played out a dramatic 31:31 draw, leaving everything open ahead of the return leg in Denmark.

Martim Costa was outstanding for Sporting with 12 goals, while his brother Francisco Costa added five. Aalborg were led by Thomas Arnoldsen with eight goals and Mads Hangaard with seven, while Lukas Sandell Knorr scored five.

OTP Bank-PICK Szeged – SC Magdeburg 28:35 (14:15)
OTP Bank-PICK Szeged: Mikler – Sostaric 9/3, Garciandia 3, Smárason 5, Bánhidi, Mackovsek 7, Jelinic, Thulin, Toto, Abelvik 2, Kalaras, Fazekas M. 1, Frimmel 1/1, Szilágyi.
SC Magdeburg: Hernández – Hornke 3/2, Lagergren 7, Saugstrup 2, Jónsson, Claar 6, Mertens 1, Mandic, Kristjánsson 7, Magnússon 5/2, Bergendahl, Musche 4.

Sporting – Aalborg 31:31
Sporting: Silva Oliveira 2, Álvarez Dominguez 1, Mota Costa 12, Suárez Diaz 3, Gurri Aregay 1, Martínez Camí García, Rocha Nogueira Salvador 3, Þorkelsson 2, Gassama Cissokho 1, Kristensen, Branquinho, Graça Monteiro, Moga, Mota Costa 5, Aly, Romero Holguin 1.
Aalborg: Jacobsen, Larsen, Sagosen 2, Arnoldsen 8, Rønningen, Anderson, Jensen 2, Norsten, Hangaard 7, Blonz 2, Bjørnsen 2, Möller 2, Knorr 5, Antonsen, Juul-Lassen 1, Munk.

PHOTO: Pick Szege