The current season balance is balanced: Berlin won the reverse fixture in HBL at home 31:26, in the final of the IHF Super Globe the SCM stroke back with a 34:32 after extra time - and after Sunday’s match, the two top teams duel again on neutral ground: in the semifinals of the REWE Final4 in Cologne on 13 April. Before the LIQUI MOLY HBL summit, Wiegert and Siewert answer questions in this double interview - both have great respect for their opponents, both do not see a preliminary decision on Sunday and both are looking forward to competing in three more competitions (League Cup, Champions League/European League) to be in the title race.

First against second – will this game already make a preliminary decision in the title race?

Jaron Siewert: This is a top game for us away in Magdeburg, SCM are the favorites, we will do everything we can to make it a 50:50 game, similar to the one in Flensburg. I don't see a preliminary decision yet, there are still nine or ten games to play and a lot can happen in the Bundesliga. Therefore, these are important points for both teams, even towards the Champions League qualification, in order to keep other teams behind.

Bennet Wiegert: Exactly! Of course, no decision has been made yet, you just have to look at the rest of the schedule for both teams, there are still a lot of difficult games ahead, especially away. And therefore nothing is happening at this point. But as Jaron says: getting two points in a direct duel against an opponent for a Champions League spot can be very important in the end, so both of us want to win them.

If you were to evaluate your club's current season, what is the interim balance?

Jaron Siewert: Consistently positive.

Bennet Wiegert: If someone had told me before the season that we would still be playing for the title in three competitions and had already won the Super Globe, I would have taken action immediately. The sparrow in the hand is closer than the pigeon on the roof. But looking back, this league defeat in Hanover hurts a lot, the game could have ended differently. But that is past: we no longer do not look back, only ahead.

The best home team locks horns with the best away team – how important is this home advantage?

Jaron Siewert: With such a constellation, you might think that he wouldn't be worth that. But no. Magdeburg are extremely strong at home with an extreme support from the stands, with very strong performances at home against good teams. Nevertheless, we want to contribute to making it a top game with a top performance. Then we'll see what happens after 60 minutes - and we'll fight for victory with a lot of fans behind us.

Bennet Wiegert: The home advantage is always important at Magdeburg, our arena can put a lot of pressure on the opponent, that's no secret. That's why every home game is always an advantage for us.

What else speaks for your team and what for the opponent?

Jaron Siewert: We are well-rehearsed and we are having a very, very good season. If our players are all at the top level, we can beat any team. If we don't reach this top level, it will be difficult to win against any opponent. We play well and fast in attack. Magdeburg have a strong defense with a good goalkeeping behind, and in attack they play similar to us, they run the ball well, they have good cooperation with the pivots and strong wings. Relatively speaking, both teams are very balanced.

Bennet Wiegert: Both teams have top squads. It's hard to put into words what Berlin has formed and what they're getting out of the squad despite a lot of injuries. That really impressed me. They beat us at their home and in the Super Globe we were better after extra time. What could speak for us, in addition to the home advantage, is that we have plenty of personnel right now, we are spoiled for choice, but Paul Drux and Fabian Wiede are also back in Berlin. Therefore, the line-up factor could be neutralized on both sides.

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Which opponent's player do you have the most respect for?

Jaron Siewert: No player, the team itself, I can't single out one player, that would be unfair to the whole team. Magdeburg are in a top position, twice as well staffed in every position.

Bennet Wiegert: I see it the same way: I don't want to single anyone out. If Berlin is only reduced to Mathias Gidsel, that would unrespectful for the whole squad, there's a lot more to it. Let's take the wing players Tollbring and Lindberg or Lasse Andersson and Dejan Milosavljev, who can decide games on their own. In addition, Berlin now have an adequate back-up alongside Marsenic in Max Darj. In short: the squad is really good.

Both teams are still in the race for three trophies, HBL, German cup, international business - is this an additional motivation or a burden for you?

Jaron Siewert: Definitely a motivation! We want to be part in all competitions by the end of the season and fight for all titles. That is an absolute motivation. If we only had to concentrate on the Bundesliga now, everything would be less shiny. We are absolutely motivated going into three competitions that will be decided in the next three months.

Bennet Wiegert: Both for us. Of course, our goal was to compete for titles in all competitions as long as possible, and that's why we composed this broad, large squad. And of course we want to have something tangible in our hands at the end of the season. But of course this doesn't make the burden any less. This is different for both teams than if you, as a Bundesliga team, have already been eliminated from the cup and are not playing internationally. Berlin would certainly have loved to avoid the play-offs in the European League.

Are Berlin and Magdeburg the two dominant teams of the current Bundesliga season - or is the field of contenders broader?

Jaron Siewert: As of now, Magdeburg and Berlin are having a very good season, scoring points regularly, but on the other hand the field has become much wider. If you look at the relegation battle and see that the 18th place is still fully in the race to remain in HBL, that the tenth ranked team is not yet safe, but has to score points.

Bennet Wiegert: I think that this season, but especially looking into the future, there will be significantly more teams aiming for the title. The times of two dominant teams are over, that's five or six teams now.

In your opinion, will another team be able to get into the title race, or will Berlin and Magdeburg fight it out among themselves?

Jaron Siewert: Kiel can absolutely not be written off yet, they know how to win titles and that you can and must believe in it until the end. The same applies for Flensburg. We tied against them, maybe  missed a preliminary decision, it's only six points. These four teams will fight for the German championship until the end.

Bennet Wiegert: I am also sure that Flensburg can still get into the title race, I haven't written them off yet.

Looking ahead on 13 April  - who of you will celebrate reaching the final at the REWE Final4 in the fourth duel this season after the league and Super Globe final?

Jaron Siewert: I hope we do! Anything can happen on a Final4 weekend. Magdeburg experienced this at the Champions League Final4, we experienced this at last year's European League Final4. You have to show two good performances to win the title. We're already playing against the strongest opponent in the field in the semi-finals, but that's another 50:50 game that we'll hopefully win in the end.

Bennet Wiegert: If you would know the result beforehand, you wouldn't have to play. Seriously: so much can still happen between now and then, especially when it comes to injuries. And I agree with Jaron absolutely: From my experiences at Final4 tournaments, I know that anything can happen. Any team that takes part can win the title, regardless of how the previous season went, how the squad is structured or what the last results were. These weekends are very special.

Photo: Vogler | Klahn