Repeat of 2017: Magdeburg finish third

One year ago, they needed extra time and a penalty shoot-out against Saint-Raphael to take third place at the EHF Cup Finals. On home ground on Sunday, SC Magdeburg took a clear and well-deserved 35:25 win against dethroned defending champions Frisch Auf Göppingen at the Ottostadt Magdeburg EHF Cup Finals.

More than 6,500 fans in the sold-out GETEC Arena saw a great placement match with four match winners for SCM: Goalkeeper Jannick Green (14 saves), and the top-scoring trio Matthias Musche (nine goals), Nemanja Zelenovic (nine) and Michael Damgaard (eight).

• 8:2 is the ‘result’ of the brothers’ duel, Michael (Magdeburg) versus Allan Damgaard (Göppingen)
• Like they did at the first EHF Cup Finals event in 2013, Göppingen finish fourth
• Magdeburg extend the series that has seen the hosts of the EHF Cup Finals finish at least third

3/4 PLACEMENT MATCH
SC Magdeburg (GER) vs Frisch Auf Göppingen (GER) 35:25 (16:15)

Backed by the saves of Danish goalkeeper Jannick Green, who did not play in the semi-final, Magdeburg had a flying start – and forced Frisch Auf Göppingen’s coach Rolf Brack to use his timeout card extremely early, when his side was down 3:6.

Magdeburg were unstoppable, with left wing Matthias Musche and right back Nemanja Zelenovic, who will join Göppingen next season, the keys to a 9:4 advantage.

But the defending champions struck back and made their green-dressed fans happy – for a time. As goalkeeper Primoz Prost improved and Frisch Auf increased their efficiency in attack, the deficit melted goal by goal.

At the break, Magdeburg were ahead by just one goal at 16:15, and in minute 35, Göppingen took the lead for the first time at 17:16.

Right when the visitors were close to turning the tide of the match, Green restarted his great show, while his Danish compatriot Michael Damgaard fired from all cylinders, netting goal after goal to take his side to a clear 23:19 advantage.

Green became like a wall, Magdeburg easily pulled ahead and finally decided the match at 28:20, 12 minutes before the end.