Flying with the Enemy: Foxes Berlin and Magdeburg's Unconventional Journey
The Bitter End of Glory
The handball world was left shaking after the Füchse Berlin's heartbreaking loss in the Club World Cup final against SC Magdeburg (32:34) in intense extra time. Little did they know, their night of despair would be extended by eight hours as they shared an airplane with their rivals on the long journey back home.
The Organizer's Hand
The blame fell on the Super Globe organizers, responsible for arranging the teams' arrivals and departures. Finding alternative flights within the tight window was a challenge, and the Foxes were eager to return to their training ground - Berlin's Max-Schmeling-Halle. The chance to face Bucharest in the European Cup match was just two days away (20:45/ Dyn live).
The Sporting Director's Take
Stefan Kretzschmar, the Foxes' sporting director, was the first to voice his thoughts on the peculiar situation. Despite the loss, Kretzschmar expressed gratitude to Magdeburg for their sportsmanship and pride in their strong showing against their rivals. He conveyed, "We distinguished ourselves and showcased our place as one of Europe's top three clubs."
Kretzschmar also clarified that the trip was financially beneficial, assuring no money was wasted.
Magdeburg's Perspective
Player Lukas Mertens from SC Magdeburg confirmed that the flight was primarily a time for rest and recuperation, with mutual respect between competitors evident during the journey.
The Coach's Challenge
For Füchse Berlin's coach Jaron Siewert, the mindset for the upcoming European Cup match against Bucharest was crucial. Siewert emphasized the thin line between triumph and failure in handball and encouraged the team to bounce back and secure the home victory.
Lessons Learned
In handball, teams often travel together to minimize costs and streamline logistics. How teams handle such sharing will depend on their management and the specific circumstances. The case of Foxes Berlin and SC Magdeburg's shared journey provided an unforeseen challenge, testing the athletes' resilience and team spirit as they prepared for their next match.
