RESULTS
Rhein-Neckar Löwen 37:27 Chekhovskie medvedi (69:60 agg.)
Summary: It was the Andy Schmid show in attack and welcome to the Gislason lair in defense. The hosts never let up and really outclassed Chekhovskie medvedi in all areas of the court. Congrats to RNL for now stamping them name on a spot at the EHF FINALS 2020/21 in their home arena - the SAP Arena.
SC Magdeburg 39:31 IFK Kristianstad (73:59 agg.)
Summary: Magnussen is truly SCM's in-form player at the moment, with his nine goals tonight the hosts looked head and shoulders above IFK, who seemed to have really fallen somewhat back from the level they reached in years past. Along with RNL, SCM have now stamped their name on a ticket to Mannheim on 22/23 of May.
19:51
Young 18-year-old David Späth is getting some court time in between the sticks for the hosts and has pulled of some great saves, he is 3/5 and one of them being a super peno save.
19:39
Any Russian fans hoping for a massive opening few minutes from Chekhovskie medvedi will be sorely disappointed, Ymir Gislason has different ideas in the RNL centre block; he is taking no prisoners and really putting in some massive hits.
19:20
HALF-TIME
Rhein-Neckar Löwen 19:8 Chekhovskie medvedi
Summary: Seems to be lessons learned from leg one and the Lions are fired up. Chekhovskie medvedi look out of ideas in attack.
SC Magdeburg 23:12 IFK Kristianstad
Summary: SCM want to leave no doubt about their ticket to Mannheim. They now lead by 17 goals on agg. Magnussen with six and Mertens with 5 are SCM's sharp shooters.
19:16
The German sides are out to make statements this evening, two hammerings in the first half. With SC Magdeburg leading 23:11 and Rhein-Neckar Löwen 17:8 up. The lions really showing their extra gears!
19:12
This is already looking like mission impossible for Chekhovskie medvedi, they don't have an answer for Andy Schmid, he is just carving open the Russian side's defense. The Swiss CB is 4/6 joint top scorer along with Jerry Tollbring on the same stats.
19:05
SC Magdeburg are still in the zone from the first leg, they lead 15:7 after 20 minutes. Just like last week Omar Ingi Magnussen is letting them fly, he is 6/7...
18:57
Excellent start by RNL. Their defense looks rock solid and Palicka (5/8) in goal is as sharp as ever. They lead 6:2 after 11 minutes.
18:34
Bit of extra pressure on the Lions from Mannheim tonight has they need get past their Russian counterparts to book at spot at their home EHF FINALS 2020/21 in the SAP Arena.
18:25
Look how much it means to the Füchse fans, they cheer the players going into the Max-Schmeling-Halle for their tie against Montpellier (20:45 CEST); they are down by three, but the Foxes have only ever lost one home game against a French side in their whole European Cup history....
18:23
You can expect fireworks over on EHFTV tonight as all side battle for those four spots in the inaugural EHF FINALS Men 2020/21, always something special about being at the first one!
18:04
We are just under 40 minutes away from our first two matches
18:45 (CEST)
SC Magdeburg vs IFK Kristianstad
Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Chekhovskie medvedi
We will mainly focus on Rhein-Neckar Löwen vs Chekhovskie medvedi with the Russian outfit boasting a one-goal advantage. However, we will keep an eye on SC Magdeburg vs IFK Kristianstad, should the Swedish side have a comeback up their sleeve.
17:00
So how can Montpellier extinguish the Füchse fire tonight?
A three-goal buffer to start with is nice, but far from decisive, as Montpellier captain Valentin Porte and head coach Patrice Canayer are well aware, according to EHF journalist Kevin Domas: