Crazy Game of Handball in Nuremberg! HC Erlangen defeats SC Magdeburg

HC Erlangen rewarded itself on Easter Sunday and captured two points against the top-class club SC Magdeburg in a truly nail-biting game of handball. In an evenly matched encounter, the team of Head Coach Aðalsteinn Eyjólfsson did not give up at any time and gave its fans an Easter present with a 26:25 home victory.

HC Erlangen got off to a good start and went 3:1 in front after five minutes through Schröder and Bissel. The visitors from Magdeburg tried to produce their high-paced play in the opening spell, but Aðalsteinn Eyjólfsson’s team seemed well-prepared for its opponents and prevented the SCM’s attempts to score on the break thanks to strong retreats. It was not until the 13th minute that the SCM managed to tie the scores at 6:6. The visitors went three goals in front while their opponents were short-handed, but the club from Franconia did not give up and equalized thanks to a strong save by Katsigiannis and a goal by Büdel (11:11). The favorites from Magdeburg had to battle hard to crack Erlangen’s defense. The central block marshaled by Overby and Link was very stable, while the HC also displayed zest and patience in attack. Shortly before the end of the first half, HC Erlangen went back ahead with a goal from von Gruchalla (15:14). However, the visitors from Magdeburg scored in the final second and so both both teams went in at half-time tied at 15:15.

After the break, Katsigiannis saved a shot from the league’s current top scorer Matthias Musche, but after losing possession in attack the third-placed team nevertheless managed to go 15:16 in front. The visitors went two ahead with a man more on court, but the HC did not slacken and fought its way back to within one in the 37th minute (17:18). HC Erlangen also kept up its form in the second half. Michael Haaß and his teammates fought selflessly for the 4,812 fans celebrating Easter Sunday with HC Erlangen on Family Day. Erlangen tied the scores at 23:23 through Nikolai Link in the 54th minute and, after another superb save by Katsigiannis, Petter Overby put his side 24:23 ahead. The last three minutes could not be beaten for tension. After Petter Overby was shown the red card for his third two-minute suspension, the member of the Norway side that finished as runners-up in the World Championship left the court to standing ovations. Spurred on by the magnificent crowd, Nikolai Link on his return stretched the gap to 25:23 while his team was short-handed. Even though the SCM put the ball past Katsigiannis twice, Erlangen did not relinquish the lead to the end. Thanks to a strong and fighting team performance, HC Erlangen rewarded itself on Easter Sunday and captured its next two points with a 26:25 victory over Magdeburg.

“I’m very proud of my team today. Everyone fought for each other and we repeatedly managed to fight our way back. I’m really very pleased at my team’s display in attack and defense today,” said Aðalsteinn Eyjólfsson afterwards.

source: https://www.hc-erlangen.de/