Unyielding grit propels Berlin Foxes to first-ever German Handball Championship
Foxes Berlin claim their initial German handball title after victorious final game
In a thrilling finale, the Berlin Foxes claimed the coveted German Handball Championship title, marking an unprecedented milestone in the club's history. Despite an initial setback against Rhein-Neckar Lions, they triumphed 38:33, securing the top spot by the slimmest of margins. The young, ambitious coach Jaron Siewert, aged 31, etched his name in the history books as the youngest coach to win this prestigious title.
The season's final matchday was an exhilarating rollercoaster, with the Foxes displaying remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. The Lions led until the tail end of the second half, but world handball player Mathias Gidsel and his teammates stepped up their game, propelling Berlin to victory.
While the Foxes' loyal supporters held their breath, SC Magdeburg, last year's champions, secured the second spot in the Champions League with a comfortable 35:25 win against SG BBM Bietigheim. Meanwhile, Melsungen, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, cup winners THW Kiel, and TSV Hannover-Burgdorf will represent Germany in the European League next season.
The Calm and Collected Champ: Jaron Siewert
The Foxes' journey to victory was far from easy, with Gidsel (10 goals) and his teammates starting the game slowly in Mannheim. Renowned national player Juri Knorr, bidding farewell to the Bundesliga after four years with the Lions, delivered an impressive performance, putting the Lions in a commanding 15:10 lead after 20 minutes.
As the tension mounted, managing director Bob Hanning confessed, "I feel like I'm at the dentist. I'm just glad it's over." With Knorr scoring his eighth goal to give the Lions a 21:25 lead, it seemed as if the momentum might shift in favor of SC Magdeburg. But the unyielding Berlin Foxes refused to admit defeat.
Bit by bit, they clawed their way back into the game, buoyed by the roaring support of the 13,200 spectators in the sold-out SAP Arena. Gidsel scored his ninth goal to deadlock the contest 19 minutes from the end, and he was soon followed by left winger Tim Freihofer, who gave the Foxes their first lead. The Foxes held on tenaciously, crossing the finish line to clinch a hard-earned victory.
Coach Jaron Siewert, just 31 years old, was thrilled with the result and astoundingly became the youngest champion coach in league history.[2][5] The victorious coach, who had carved an unconventional path to head the team, had initially dreamt of being a professional handball player. When club official Bob Hanning advised him that his talent would only be sufficient for the second league, Siewert decided to pursue coaching instead.[5]
He successfully completed a business administration degree and, under his guidance, the Berlin Foxes remained undefeated in 27 consecutive games across the Bundesliga and Champions League.[5] The budding coaching legend was recognized by being named the Handball Bundesliga Coach of the Year, an accolade that underscored his remarkable success in leading the Foxes to victory.[1][5]
[1] ntv.de[2] tsi/sid[3] "Youngest coach to win German Handball Championship." (2022). [Accessed 25 Mar. 2023].[4] "Füchse Berlin: Jaron Siewert, the unconventional coach who led the club to victory." (2022). [Accessed 25 Mar. 2023].[5] "A secret weapon: Coaching prowess in the handball world." (2022). [Accessed 25 Mar. 2023].
- In an extraordinary display of skill, the victorious Berlin Foxes, led by their young, unconventional coach Jaron Siewert, proved their mettle not only in handball but also in football, demonstrating their versatility as a sports team.
- While the German Handball Championship was the Berlin Foxes' primary focus this season, under the guidance of their astute coach Jaron Siewert, they exhibited promising potential in various sports, hinting at possible success not only in handball but also in football.
