Berlin's Fox Station in Frenzy: "We Aren't Done Yet"
A Wild Berlin Handball Party: Champions, Beer, and Beatboxing
The handball party in Berlin was off the charts, even by Berlin standards. Beer flew everywhere, Ballermann anthems echoed over the Spree, and a floating barge transformed into a raving mess. The Berlin Foxes celebrated their historic championship title with a night filled with carnival-like chaos, a schlager festival, and a school trip.
Nearly 2,000 fans danced alongside their handball heroes throughout the night as fireworks exploded above them. Shimmering in the spotlight, the championship trophy gleamed, drenched in beer. From the speakers, "Anton aus Tirol" boomed, then suddenly, center back Matthes Langhoff started beatboxing.
Circle runner Mijajlo Marsenic summed up the chaos. "It's difficult to say, because we're all drunk," he roared into the microphone. Anyone glancing at the faces on stage knew Marsenic was right.
A Climax Like Sitting Through a Full Dental Procedure
The post-game party following the nail-biting 38:33 victory against the Rhein-Neckar Lions and the wet, cheerful return flight had already taken its toll. "Today, the guys can do whatever they want," Jaron Siewert declared, even promising his players some well-deserved days off. "It depends on how I feel tomorrow," said the youngest HBL championship-winning coach in history. Immediately, Marsenic handed him a beer.
After one of the most thrilling seasons ever, the capital city team was just one point ahead of SC Magdeburg. It seemed like an impending collapse in the season finale and a five-goal deficit at one point. "It was like sitting through a full dental procedure without anesthesia," Berlin boss Bob Hanning recalled.
Gidsel: "We've Arrived"
Anyone talking about the realization of the Berlin dream can't ignore Mathias Gidsel. The exceptional player, who describes himself as "just a simple guy from Denmark," has been instrumental in Füchse Berlin's success.
Gidsel knows how good he is, but he's uncomfortable with all the praise from his teammates. The lanky Dane prefers discussing the qualities of his young teammates. "I'm prouder of them than of myself. These guys are incredible, and they're the best players in the world," the Olympic champion stated.
Gidsel came to Berlin in 2022. When he extended his contract in the winter until 2029, the Berliners promised their superstar that they would shape the team into a championship-winning side in the coming years. "I didn't think it would happen this quickly. We've arrived," the Scandinavian concluded, suspecting: "Now it will all be easier."
One More Sticker for the Panini Album
What Gidsel means: The pressure is off. Just in time, too, because the next potential triumph awaits this weekend in the Champions League. Berlin faces HBC Nantes in the semi-finals, while Magdeburg takes on record champion FC Barcelona. "Then the focus is on filling up the Panini album. There's still one sticker missing," said Hanning.
Why not also take the European handball crown? "In the shape we're in now, we're the best team in the world," experienced Fabian Wiede stated, looking at the other three competitors. And Marsenic is also confident: "We're not done yet."
With the historic HBL title, Hanning fulfilled his lifelong dream. For two decades, the former vice-president of the German Handball Federation has been pulling the strings in Berlin, transforming the second-division team into the current best German handball team - a mix of world stars and homegrown talent.
Against the Lions, seven Berlin players from their own academy were on the court, from Nils Lichtlein to Matthes Langhoff to Tim Freihofer. They're already among the best players in their positions. A worrisome sign for the competition. For the Foxes, it's a factor that promises championship years to come. Hanning is convinced: "Because the young ones aren't getting worse. They're going to get a lot better."
- Despite the exhilarating party for the handball victory, Mathias Gidsel and his teammates are already eyeing another trophy, with the Champions League semi-finals against HBC Nantes coming up this weekend.
- With their victory in the Champions League, Füchse Berlin could fill the final gap in their Panini album, making them European champions in addition to the HBL champions they already are.
