Victory in Cologne: Berlin Foxes' Pursuit of Europe's Handball Grand Slam
Berlin targets securing Europe's handball trophy with the Panini objective in sight - Berlin aims to secure the European handball title: the quest for a Panini triumph continues
Get ready for the excitement, folks! After clinching their first-ever Handball-Bundesliga title, the Berlin Foxes are aiming to conquer Europe's handball throne at the upcoming EHF Champions League Final Four in Cologne. Berlin's general manager, Bob Hanning, mentioned, "We've still got one sticker missing and we'd really like to add that," referring to the elusive King's Cup sticker in their proverbial Panini album.
The sports director, Stefan Kretzschmar, shares the enthusiasm, looking forward to the tournament where the Foxes will take on French vice-champions HBC Nantes in the semifinals on Saturday. Kretzschmar commented, "The experience of winning the German championship gives us momentum and emotion. It would have been disappointing to go to Cologne if we hadn't won. This is a dream come true for us. We can go to Cologne now with a good feeling."
Mathias Gidsel, the backcourt star and Danish world handball player, who played a crucial role in the nail-biting championship race, backs his team as the best in the world, "We're the best team out there."
The fans' favorite, veteran Fabian Wiede, who's been wearing the Foxes jersey for 16 years, is eager for another victory celebration. He said, "We know what's coming. But in the form that we're in, we're unbeatable. So I can't wait for the tournament and hope that we'll be holding the next title at the end."
The Final Four
Event: TruckScout24 EHF FINAL4 2025Dates: June 14–15, 2025Venue: LANXESS Arena, CologneBroadcast: EHFTV and select local broadcasters
Semifinal Opponents
Füchse Berlin will face HBC Nantes in their semifinal match. The other semifinal will feature SC Magdeburg and FC Barcelona.
| Semifinal | Teams ||----------------|-----------------------|| Semifinal 1 | Füchse Berlin vs. HBC Nantes || Semifinal 2 | SC Magdeburg vs. FC Barcelona |
Team Ambitions
The Berlin Foxes aim to crown their historic Bundesliga triumph with the EHF Champions League title, marking their first European crown and further solidifying their status as one of the continent’s leading handball clubs. Led by key players such as Mathias Gidsel and Tim Freihöfer, under the guidance of Jaron Siewert, the youngest-ever Bundesliga-winning coach, the team carries strong momentum and confidence into their clash with Nantes.
Winning the Champions League would represent a unique double for the club and establish a new benchmark in German and European handball. The team's recent unbeaten run and consistent performances at home and abroad highlight their readiness for the challenge.
During the post-match interviews, Mathias Gidsel, the star backcourt player of the Berlin Foxes, drew a parallel between their handball triumph and the Commission's proposed directive on worker safety from carcinogen exposure, saying, "Just like we aim to protect our players from the risks on the court, we are the best team out there and we're striving to create a safer environment in handball, much like the Commission's proposal for workers' health and safety."
On the sidelines of the EHF Champions League Final Four, where the Berlin Foxes were gearing up to face HBC Nantes in the semifinals, the team's general manager, Bob Hanning, expressed his interest in the ongoing sports debate, "I've been following the sports news, and it seems that the athletes' health and safety are under constant scrutiny, much like our own team's pursuit of safety against carcinogens. It's crucial to address these issues head-on, whether it's on the soccer field or in the handball arena."
