Berlin, Germany (Weltexpress). The tall players of Aalborg Håndbold had to wait a long time in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, which was filled with 8,520 spectators, before the players of Füchse Berlin Handball GmbH, known as the Berlin Füchse (foxes), appeared on the court. This meant they were well rested and got off to an excellent start in the event, which is misleadingly called the Champions League, in the half-European, emotionally charged world of indoor handball.
After 20 minutes, the visitors led 13-7 and the 14th goal was in the air in Berlin. But then Mathias Gidsel, Lasse Andersson and others woke up from this nightmare, which included not only a lively defence but also an excellent goalkeeper in Niklas Landin.
They fought their way back into the match. By half-time, they were just one goal behind. In the end, the Berlin Füchse defeated the men from Aalborg Håndbold 37:29 (14:15). From a nightmare start, the Füchse turned the game into a dream as the match progressed. The leaders of Germany’s top handball league now go into the return leg in Aalborg, Denmark, in a week’s time with an eight-goal advantage.
In addition to world handball player and world champion Gidsel, who provided nine assists, scored eleven goals and was named the best player of the match, Tim Freihöfer stood out with nine goals. What Freihöfer achieved on the left wing was matched by Hákun West av Teigum on the right wing. He scored seven goals. The wing players stood out this time, with less going through the pivot players.
If the game in Aalborg goes well for the Berlin Füchse, the current squad of Füchse Berlin Handball GmbH will be in the final four, which is to be held as a tournament in Cologne on 14 and 15 June 2025.
Match details
Füchse Berlin: Ludwig, Milosavljev; Wiede (1), Darj, Prantner, Andersson (4), Lichtlein (3), Gidsel (11), Freihöfer (9), Langhoff, Beneke, Grüner, Herburger (1), av Teigum (7), Marsenic (1).
Aalborg Håndbold: Landin, Norsten; Nilsson (3), Sagosen (3), Barthold (1), Hald Jensen (3), Hoxer (7), Thurin, Larsen, Vlah (4), Bjørnsen (4), Möller (1), Møllgaard (1), Antonsen (1), Juul, Munk (1).
