Champions League: Barcelona vs Magdeburg 18/09/2025

Handicap Betting

Barcelona is by far the most successful club in the history of the Handball Champions League, with a record 12 titles. However, this season they won’t be the clear favorite as in previous years; instead, they’ll share that role with the German giants Magdeburg and Füchse Berlin.

A big handicap for Barcelona will be the injury of Dika Mem, one of their key players, who will be sidelined for the first three months. Still, the Catalan club has a deep and quality roster, and an additional plus is the fact that they are in a somewhat easier group.

Magdeburg enters this clash as the reigning European champion. They won the trophy last season at the Final Four tournament in Cologne, defeating Barcelona in a dramatic semifinal (31:30), and then Füchse Berlin in the final (39:32). The team kept all of its best players, which rightfully places them among the main favorites for the title this season as well, right alongside Barcelona.

Both teams opened the new Champions League season with wins. Barcelona beat GOG at home 37:32, while Magdeburg defeated PSG 37:31. Although the home side will be weakened by Mem’s absence, the fact remains that this is still a team of enormous quality and won’t be at a disadvantage.

Magdeburg owes Barcelona a big one from last season, and that very motivation could prove decisive in this encounter. I expect the home side to come out highly motivated, play at the limit of their abilities, and defend Blaugrana in front of their fans.