By Victor Kanayo
A Journalist identified as Pawel Kotwica, covering the 2023 European Handball Federation (EHF) Champions League final between SC Magdeburg and Barlinek Industria Kielce, reportedly slumped and died on Sunday.
Kotwica, according to Reuters, fainted during the second half and the game was halted as he was medically treated by emergency services.
EHF later confirmed that Kotwica passed away.
Magdeburg coach Bennet Wiegert suggested to end the game with the score at 22-20 for the Poles, he told Bild, saying that “there are more important things in sport”.
“I said that we accept the result, and that Kielce are the winners of the Champions League,” Wiegert said before the game resumed and the German side went on to edge Kielce 30-29 after extra time to win their fourth title.
“The seat in Kielce’s press stand which the journalist used to take when he reported on their league games has been reserved,” the Polish team said.