Füchse overcome eight-goal deficit to reach finals
Füchse Berlin are ready for the Ottostadt EHF Cup Finals in Magdeburg in mid-May, after claiming an aggregate 45:44 quarter-final win. Despite being eight goals behind after the first leg against RK Nexe, Füchse managed a magnificent comeback, winning the return match in Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin by nine.
• Füchse become the second team, after hosts SC Magdeburg, to reach the EHF Cup Finals
• Fabian Wiede scores seven goals for Füchse, while Vedran Zrnic does the same for Nexe
• It is Berlin’s fourth qualification for the EHF Cup Finals
QUARTER-FINAL, SECOND LEG
Füchse Berlin (GER) vs RK Nexe (CRO) 25:16 (14:9)
First leg 20:28, Agg. 45:44
Almost exactly six years ago, on April 29, 2012, Füchse were 11 goals down against Real Ademar Leon before their home game in the VELUX EHF Champions League Quarter-final. On that occasion, the German side managed to catch up and qualify for the VELUX EHF FINAL4 through away goals.
On Saturday night, Füchse were chasing an eight-goal deficit against RK Nexe – and they managed to come back from that too, though not without trouble.
With Mattias Zachrisson and Paul Drux back on the court after missing the first leg, but Erik Schmidt and Stipe Mandalinic still absent, Füchse were dominant from the start. The home team pulled in front 4:0, 11:4 and 12:5, before Nexe started to capitalise on their aggressive defence and reduce the gap.
The visitors came as close as just two goals behind, at 14:12 early in the second half, before the home team were able to regain control.
With eight minutes left, Füchse reached the eight-goal lead they needed, 22:14, and even managed to add an extra goal to their win before the final whistle.
The victory means that Füchse will join SC Magdeburg at the EHF Cup Finals. The two remaining semi-finalists will be determined on Sunday.
TEXT: Peter Bruun / cg
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