Veszprém HC secured their maiden title at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship, after a dramatic final against SC Magdeburg, 34:33, which went to extra-time, after the German side came back in the second half of the regular time.

The Hungarian side, which had lost the final in 2015, delivered Magdeburg their first loss in four years in the world club handball flagship competition, stopping a 15-match winning streak and denying the German side their fourth consecutive title.

FINAL
SC Magdeburg (GER) vs Veszprém HC (HUN) 33:34 a.e.t. (14:13; 28:28)

Three consecutive titles and a 15-match winning streak. SC Magdeburg’s credentials at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship were already confirmed, but the German powerhouse had one more match before writing history in the world club handball flagship competition.

A 16th consecutive win against Veszprém HC would have seen Magdeburg become the maiden team to secure the title four times in a row, but their opponents were no pushovers, and aiming to clinch their first major international title in more than 15 years, after disposing in the semi-final of FC Barcelona.

On paper, Veszprém looked like the better-rounded team, especially thanks to their depth, a place where Magdeburg were skipping a beat, but each time the German side were considered underdogs, they provided entertaining matches. Take, for instance, the last two finals, where they beat Barcelona and Fuchse Berlin, both in extra-time.

Yet this time around, Veszprém HC had the better start, taking an early 3:0 lead, with a strong performance in defence, as goalkeeper Rodrigo Corrales shined between the posts and delivered two fantastic saves. Nevertheless, Magdeburg did not raise their hands in defeat and had their own 3:0 run to tie the match.

However, Veszprém bounced back and had a good outing from backs Luka Cindric and Nedim Remili, each with three goals in the first half, to wrestle back the lead. But something changed in the dynamic of the match, as Magdeburg became better and better in defence, taking control of the match.

With some shrewd moves in attack, Magdeburg launched a 6:2 run to take the lead for the first time and even open a three-goal lead, 12:9, as their Icelandic pair of backs, Omar Ingi Magnusson and Gisli Kristjansson combined for five goals and five assists, being instrumental in their team’s comeback.

But Veszprém were no pushovers themselves and balanced the score, with a single-goal lead from Magdeburg at the break, 14:13, setting the course for yet another amazing second half, with the two teams hard to separate.

And once again, it was Veszprém which started the second half better, with a 7:1 powerful run, underlined by two goals from line player Ludovic Fabregas and two goals from right wing Mikita Vailupau, to turn the match around once again, and take a 22:18 lead, courtesy of some converted fast breaks, as their defence carried the load.

That run saw Veszprém score five goals in a row, with Magdeburg failing to get anything on the board for five minutes and 56 seconds, which eventually proved to be their undoing and bring the German side their first loss at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship since 2002.

But it was not for Magdeburg’s lack of trying. The German side created their own 3:0 run to get back in the match and cut the gap to a single goal, 23:24, as left wing Lukas Mertens scored twice in 55 seconds, applying more and more pressure on Veszprém, which eventually failed to secure the win in regular time.

Once again, the never-say-die attitude of Magdeburg proved to be the decisive factor in the closing stages of the match, when the German side prevented their opponents to score in the last three minutes, boasting a 3:1 run to end the regular time and tie the score, 28:28, pushing the final of the IHF Men’s Club World Championship into extra-time for the third edition in a row.

Was it time for another surprise? Could Magdeburg deliver another fantastic win or it was Veszprém’s time to cheer, sealing back-to-back extra-time wins in this edition? The German side started the extra-time better, but it was time for Corrales to shine once again.

Back-to-back saves from the Spanish goalkeeper provided chances for back-to-back goals for Veszprém and the Hungarian side took advantage of them, with their two best scorers, Ludovic Fabregas and Nedim Remili, helping their side to take a 33:31 lead.

In the end, Veszprém were stronger and sealed a 34:33 win, protecting the lead until the end, with Magdeburg’s final attack being stopped by the Hungarian side’s defence, lifting them to the maiden title at the IHF Men’s Club World Championship.

It is the first major international title for Veszprém HC since winning the Men’s EHF Cup Winners’ Cup since 2008, as the Hungarian side have secured a fantastic performance under the guidance of Xavi Pascual.