Magdeburg Coach Reflects on Impact of Attack

SC Magdeburg’s coach Bennet Wiegert has shared the lasting effects of the recent attack in Magdeburg on his life and perspective. In an interview with Sport Bild, the 43-year-old stated, „This attack grounded me. I get upset over so many minor issues in handball, which now seem trivial in comparison.“

Tragically, on December 20, 2024, a perpetrator’s rampage at the Magdeburg Christmas market left six people dead and over 300 injured. One of Magdeburg’s players, Antonio Serradilla, was just one meter away from the assailant’s vehicle during the incident. Wiegert immediately reached out to Serradilla, who was in a state of panic, crying and screaming. Wiegert had urged all players to contact him following the attack.

Giving No Power to Crime

Despite the traumatic event, Wiegert was determined to proceed with the scheduled match against ThSV Eisenach just two days later. He remarked, „I did not want to be influenced or compelled by an attack; I wanted to give no power to the crime.“ However, he later acknowledged, „That was a mistake.“

As the situation unfolded, Wiegert received numerous images on his phone from the scene, leading him to feel as if he had witnessed the event firsthand. This was compounded by the fact that friends of his family were among the injured.

During the team training the following day, Wiegert quickly realized that his initial decision was flawed. After just ten seconds, he sensed the palpable anxiety and uncertainty among the players. Consequently, the team’s next two games were postponed, and on December 22, they lit candles at the Johanneskirche in remembrance. Wiegert noted, „This has deeply affected us as a team.“