Berlin's Füchse Eye Europe's Handball Crown in Cologne
Berlin persists in its ambition: securing Europe's handball title championship - Berlin aims to clinch the title of European handball champion
The reigning Bundesliga champions, Berlin's Füchse, have their sights set high now. After clinching the league title, they're aiming to conquer the Champions League and snag Europe's handball crown. Beginning Tuesday, their focus turns to "sealing the deal," as General Manager Bob Hanning terms it, with one trophy left unclaimed: the Champions League title they'll fight for at the Final Four in Cologne this coming weekend.
Sports Director Stefan Kretzschmar is also keen on the tournament, where Berlin faces off against French vice-champs HBC Nantes in the semi-finals on Saturday. With high hopes, he stated, "Securing the German championship brings momentum and excitement. It would have been a setback to go to Cologne if we hadn't closed the deal. For us, this is a dream come true. With optimism, we can sail to Cologne, feeling confident."
The players' morale is off the charts. Backcourt star Mathias Gidsel confidently declared, "We are the greatest handball team on the planet." Gidsel's contributions were crucial in Berlin's thrilling title win, narrowly edging Rhein-Neckar Löwen with a final score of 38:33. The 26-year-old Danish sensation has drawn praise from his teammate Juri Knorr, who hailed Gidsel as "on his way to becoming the best handball player of all time, even alongside legends like Mikkel Hansen and Nikola Karabatic." Knorr also expressed good wishes for SC Magdeburg, the second German team vying for the European Cup, wishing them both "luck. Both teams have solid chances." SCM faces off against record champions FC Barcelona in the other semi-final match.
Veteran Fabian Wiede, who's sported the Füchse jersey for 16 years, isn't shy about his team's aspirations for another victory celebration. "We know what we're up against," said the 31-year-old. "But in our current form, we're the best team in the world. So I'm excited for the tournament and hoping to lift the next title at the end."
Upcoming Matches
- Teams: Füchse Berlin vs. HBC Nantes
- Date: 14 June 2025
- Competition: EHF Champions League Semi-Final
- Location: LANXESS Arena, Cologne, Germany
- Start Time: 06:00 AM (presumably local time)
[1] Based on enrichment data.
Europe's Handball Tournament
- The EHF FINAL4 brings together the top four teams for a two-day event, showcasing the best of European handball.
- The 2025 event will take place in Cologne, Germany, on June 14 and 15.
Opponent
- HBC Nantes, French vice-champions, present a formidable challenge for Füchse Berlin.
In the realm of sports, Berlin's Füchse, reigning Bundesliga champions, are not just aiming for the Champions League title, but are confidently saying they are "the greatest handball team on the planet." Meanwhile, in another corner of Europe, the Commission has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens, potentially setting new standards for labor safety in sports across the continent.
