Over 20 years ago, Bennet Wiegert was part of Germany's national team at the IHF Men's Junior World Championship as a young player, wanting to make his mark in the world of handball, which he did. Now, he is a German champion, twice an IHF Men's Super Globe winner and an EHF Champions League Men champion as a coach, but he has never forgotten the first steps in the sport.

Last weekend, Wiegert guided SC Magdeburg towards one of the most astonishing wins in the history of the European premium handball, as the German powerhouse created a path towards the trophy after a gruelling season marked by injuries and problems.

First, they cancelled a three-goal lead for reigning champions Barca to take a 40:39 win on penalties, then they went and clinched a 30:28 win against Barlinek Industria Kielce in the final after extra-time. 

Wiegert and his team were greeted as true heroes in Magdeburg, as over 10,000 fans came on Monday to the Alter Markt, the city's main square, celebrating their second trophy in the European premium competition after a 21-year-long wait.

But after two days of partying and celebrating the momentous achievement, Wiegert did not go into holiday mode, returning to his home, the GETEC Arena, to attend some of the matches of the first day at the 2023 IHF Men's Junior World Championship.

"Of course, we are happy. It is a huge achievement, a huge performance, especially in the way the season went for us. Yes, we celebrated a lot, the parties were great; we are a bit tired, but right now, the players are on vacation, and I am just here, at home, so I cannot see the reason why I should not see some more handball," said Magdeburg's coach.

Born and bred in Magdeburg, a team where he spent 12 years as a player and his entire coaching career as a head coach, when he took over in 2015, Wiegert was in the GETEC Arena for the game between Poland and the United States of America, clinched by the European side (47:22).

He was also the one to hand over the hummel Player of the Match award to Szymon Wiaderny, who scored eight goals, coincidentally a player for Barlinek Industria Kielce, exactly the team Magdeburg beat to clinch the trophy in the European premium competition.

"This is my hometown, I love being here; therefore, whenever I know that there are games in the arena, I like to come and see what is happening. My daughter was here with her school class to see the games, so I thought it was a good idea to pop in myself," says Magdeburg's coach when asked about why he decided to attend a game at the IHF Men's Junior World Championship.

"This is where the stories are born; this is where the players make their first steps into handball. I know for myself because I was also here. Therefore, it is always nice to come back and see how they are developing and see who are the best prospects for the future," adds Wiegert.

But who are the best prospects for the future? As this championship is co-hosted by Germany, Wiegert knows the team inside out, with plenty of players from the roster already featuring in the Bundesliga, yet none of them currently at SC Magdeburg.

The big question is, therefore, if Germany can challenge for silverware, their first title in the competition since back-to-back wins at Egypt 2009 and Greece 2011. Wiegert thinks that his national team, one that started Germany/Greece 2023 with a bang (35:14) against Libya, is one of the favourites, if not the one to take the trophy when the final whistle is blown.

"I will go and watch them too and really support them," says Wiegert, as Germany will be coming to Magdeburg to play in the main round, provided they secure a berth with a win in the last two games against Tunisia and Algeria.

But in his opinion, it is not a question about progressing from the preliminary round, but about the title. In fact, Wiegert, who played five games for Germany's senior national team, believes that the current side, spearheaded by talented players like goalkeeper David Späth, back Renars Uščins or left wing Tim Freihöfer, can win the title.

"They really can do this. They have the talent, depth and experience to beat anyone. I know all of their players, and I know how talented they are and what they can do on the court," concludes Wiegert.

If that happens, Magdeburg will have one more reason to celebrate, as the handball-mad country certainly knows how to receive and treat champions. And on the back of their fans, Germany might still do it in Berlin, in front of a packed Max-Schmeling-Halle in 10 days' time.