Icelander Gisli Kristjansson took the 2022/23 title winners back to Cologne with a buzzer-beating goal, while Veszprém HC missed the EHF FINAL4 for the third straight time.
The top scorers in the true thriller were Felix Claar with seven goals for Magdeburg and Ludovic Fabregas for Veszprém. Nedim Remili, who netted six times for the Hungarian side, was awarded Player of the Match.
In the first leg, it took Magdeburg, who were severely handicapped by an early injury to top scorer Matthias Musche, who tore his Achilles tendon, 57 minutes until they were ahead for the first time and they were able to secure a lucky draw.
On Thursday evening, the deal seemed to be sealed for Veszprém, when they were ahead 26-22 — but Magdeburg should never be written off as the home side got nervous and made several mistakes.
Two Swedes punished the hosts with a 5-0 run, as Claar struck four times and Albin Lagergren once. After both coaches took their final timeouts in the last 100 seconds, Agustin Casado and Luka Cindric missed Veszprém’s last chances — and Kristjansson sent SCM back to Cologne.
In addition to Magdeburg, Füchse Berlin and Nantes have also secured tickets to the season's Final 4. The fourth and final team was found on Thursday evening when Emil Nielsen and Barcelona progressed with an overall victory over two games against Pick Szeged.