Now, just a few days before Christmas, it will be decided which four teams will contest the Lidl Final 4 in Cologne on April 18 and 19 next year. The SG Flensburg-Handewitt has to face SC Magdeburg of all teams on Thursday at 7.30 pm.
The SG's last trip of 2025 begins on Wednesday afternoon and will be one of the longer ones, as it lasts until Sunday morning. Before it goes to FRISCH AUF! Göppingen for two points in the DAIKIN HBL, they have to play in the quarter-finals of the DHB Cup - at SC Magdeburg, of all places, who are still unbeaten in all competitions this season. "We have neither home advantage nor the role of favorites, I was in a bad mood for an hour after the draw," revealed Aleš Pajović. The SG coach has since regained his confidence: "We'll try everything we can to win there." One of the two personnel question marks that arose on Sunday has now disappeared. Simon Pytlick's participation is not in jeopardy. Lasse Møller is still a doubt.
Variants and keepers as trump cards?
During his analysis, Aleš Pajović found a few approaches to annoy the SCM. "We're looking at a few variations," he said, referring to the Champions League winners' seemingly solid system of play. And with a hint of confidence, he adds: "Magdeburg weren't dominant in Gummersbach - and neither were they against us." As a reminder: In mid-November, the SG led at the break, but lost 31:35 in the end. SCM keeper Sergey Hernandez had won the goalkeeper's duel back then. Kevin Møller and Benjamin Burić put in top performances recently. "I don't know who's better at the moment," said Aleš Pajović. Nevertheless, a win in Magdeburg would not be an everyday occurrence. The last time the SG celebrated in Saxony-Anhalt was in April 2021. That was in the Bundesliga. There has only been one DHB Cup match in the Getec Arena. On December 12, 2001, the SCM defeated the SG 26:22.