Omar Ingi Magnusson (9 goals) scored most of Magdeburg's goals on Saturday afternoon in the Max-Schmeling-Halle as the Champions League winners played close to a perfect match around three months after winning the prestigious final in Cologne.
By contrast, Fuchse, led by a generally hapless world handball player, Mathias Gidsel, looked very unsettled two days after the personnel shake-up. Denmark's Lasse Andersson was the hosts' top scorer with nine goals.
To the match centre: Foxes vs. Magdeburg
"That's extremely bitter today. It felt worse than the result," said Fuchse's Fabian Wiede in frustration. Magdeburg coach Bennet Wiegert, on the other hand, was delighted."We did our job, that makes us want more," said a satisfied Wiegert to TV-channel ARD. Lukas Mertens also spoke to Dyn of an "extremely great performance".
Whistles for Hanning
The Berlin crowd expressed their displeasure with the club's latest decisions on the sidelines of the game, with managing director Bob Hanning at the end of whistles and boos."I have to accept the consequences of my decision, but for me personally I can look in the mirror very, very well," said Hanning before the game on Dyn. He added on ARD television that he was "certain that we made the right decision".
The match, however, turned into a small disaster for the reigning German champions. The visitors got off to a superb start as goalkeeper Sergey Hernández produced amazing reflex saves on several occasions. Krickau was forced to call his first timeout with the score at 5-10 after 12 minutes and the home side closed the gap to 10-12 five minutes later. However, the visitors pulled away again by the break with tremendous efficiency.
Match decided at the break.
The Foxes found no way through against Magdeburg's strong defence with German national coach Alfred Gislason in attendance. At the same time, the defending champions conceded no less than 22 goals in the first half which clearly bore witness of Magdeburg's superiority. Hanning had to admit at the break: "We can no longer turn the game around."
Siewert spoke out for the first time on Friday evening following the personnel shake-up."The past 24 hours have not been easy for me and my family. The disappointment and pain over the decision to release me is enormous and can hardly be put into words. I therefore ask you to respect the fact that I still need time to find the right words."
