SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 2, 2025 – The stage is set for a thrilling weekend in Cologne as four of Europe’s top handball clubs gear up for the TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 2025. With seasoned champions and ambitious newcomers battling it out on June 14 and 15 at the iconic LANXESS arena, fans are in for an electrifying experience packed with passion, pride, and the promise of history in the making.
Familiar Giants vs. Hungry Contenders
This year’s semi-final matchups deliver a compelling narrative: two former champions face off while two title hopefuls chase their first-ever Machineseeker EHF Champions League crown.
The draw, held in Vienna, revealed:
- Füchse Berlin (GER) vs HBC Nantes (FRA) at 15:00 CEST
- Barça (ESP) vs SC Magdeburg (GER) at 18:00 CEST
Füchse Berlin enter the semifinals as the highest-scoring team from the quarter-finals, dominating with a 77:65 aggregate win over Aalborg Håndbold. It's their second trip to Cologne, and they’re hungry for their first win at LANXESS arena.
Line player Max Darj summed up the team’s mood: "I'm feeling pretty good, I think! What we can accomplish this year is nice and I'm looking forward to this!" Still, he added a dose of realism: "If we don't win anything in the end it will mean nothing to us, but we are really happy to be there."
Their opponents, HBC Nantes, return to Cologne for the first time since 2021. The French side, runners-up in 2018, ousted Sporting CP in the quarters and are eager to make the most of this opportunity.
Veteran left wing Valero Rivera shared his thoughts: "Happy to be there, which is the most important!" Reflecting on the team’s mix of youth and experience, he added, "We are proud to reach the semi-final in Cologne. I think we are a good team, mixed with young players and old players. We have a good atmosphere in the team."
Champions Clash in a High-Stakes Rematch
The second semi-final sees handball titans Barça and SC Magdeburg meet in what promises to be a high-voltage encounter. Between them, they’ve claimed four of the last five EHF FINAL4 titles.
Barça, consistent contenders, overcame PICK Szeged 56:54 on aggregate to reach their seventh straight semi-final. But facing Magdeburg is no easy task — the German side defeated Barça in the 2023 semis en route to winning the title.
Barça right back Dika Mem knows what's at stake: "As every year, it will be really difficult, we are playing against a really good team of Magdeburg, but, as everyone knows, anything can happen there."
SC Magdeburg’s road to Cologne was nothing short of dramatic. After trailing in the quarter-finals, they clinched a 54:53 aggregate victory over Veszprém. Team captain Christian O’Sullivan recalled the tense finish: "I don't remember how we won that in the end, being four back at a crucial time… we have a lot of good players who have been in this position before and they were really 'clutch' when we needed them."
Mark Your Calendar: Where and When to Watch
The TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 2025 takes place June 14–15 at LANXESS arena in Cologne, Germany. Fans can expect:
- World-class handball at its peak
- Emotional stories of triumph and ambition
- A fan-friendly atmosphere in one of Europe’s most iconic venues
Whether you're a long-time handball supporter or a curious newcomer, this is the perfect chance to witness elite teams chase continental glory.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action — get all the latest updates and ticket information at ehfcl.eurohandball.com.