Gisli Kristjansson elected EHF FINAL4 MVP for the second time

In 2023, Gisli Kristjansson stunned everyone with a fantastic recovery during the final weekend, managing to return to the court for the final and help SC Magdeburg lift the trophy at the end of a wonderful season. This year, the Icelandic centre back unleashed his magic on court once again.

The start of the weekend was a tough one for the 25-year-old, as he came back from a shoulder injury he sustained in a Bundesliga game a couple of weeks before the event. He might have lacked a little bit of rhythm as he only netted once in the winning semi-final against Barça (31:30).

But the final was a completely different matter, as Kristjansson scored eight goals to lead Magdeburg to the decisive win against Füchse Berlin (32:26). And thanks to that performance, he became the second player ever to win the MVP award two times at the EHF FINAL4, after another Icelandic centre back, Aron Pálmarsson. Pálmarsson won the MVP award with two different teams, Kiel in 2014 and Veszprém in 2016.

“It’s really nice to get it again, but as I probably said two years ago, it is really thanks to my team. I don’t win those titles on my own, I need them around me. I am proud, but even more to win the trophy with these guys for the second time,” said the 25-year-old after the final whistle.

Photos © kolektiff