In a tension-filled quarterfinal match of the Handball Champions League, Industria Kielce of Poland faced a controversial defeat at the hands of Germany’s SC Magdeburg. The game, which concluded in a nail-biting penalty shootout, was overshadowed by a critical refereeing decision in the dying seconds of the rematch.
Kielce, having secured a narrow victory in the first leg at the Hala Legionów, were positioned to advance with the aggregate score favoring them until the final moments of the return leg. The match was evenly poised with Kielce potentially securing a spot in the Final Four with just one more goal. With mere seconds left on the clock, Kielce’s player received an excellent pass and was one-on-one with the goalkeeper when the referee’s whistle unexpectedly halted play.
The decision to stop the game at such a crucial juncture was met with disbelief and disappointment from the Kielce camp. Krzysztof Lijewski, the assistant coach of Industria Kielce, expressed his frustration, stating, “It was a clear scoring opportunity. I believe the referees should have allowed the play to continue. Dani, who made the pass, wasn’t fouled; the whistle was unnecessary.”
This premature stoppage denied Kielce a chance to seal the game, leading to a 23-22 victory for Magdeburg in the rematch and ultimately deciding the contest through penalties, which Magdeburg clinched 4-3.
The Kielce team, although heartbroken, did not let the controversial ending overshadow their appreciation for their supporters. Lijewski remarked on the unwavering support from their fans, emphasizing the need to regroup and focus on the upcoming Polish Cup match.