“We are now at the top”
Next Champions League gala: dream foxes
01.05.2025 – 10:24 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
With two convincing victories, the Foxes Berlin are in the final Four of the Champions League. A historical season is waving.
With an appearance that seemed almost effortless, the Foxes Berlin qualified for the final four of the Champions League-and clearly underlined the ambitions for a historical title double pack. After the foxes Aalborg had already clearly defeated eight goals in the quarter-final first leg, there was also a clear 40: 36 success in the second leg in Denmark. The Berliners are now not only in the semi -finals of the premier class, but also lead the Bundesliga.
“The way this victory came about will provide great hopes for the next few weeks,” said Füchse Managing Director Bob Hanning after the quarter-finals against the Danish champion. The 37:29 success in the first leg and the sovereign appearance in the second leg gave little doubt to go.
Mathias Gidsel was also solved after the final whistle. The Danish world handball player could hardly help but smile. With the final siren he jumped into the arms of his teammates. “Many people wondered why I chose Berlin. That is the reason. We are now at the top,” he explained-knowing that two victories until the Champions League title are missing.
In the Bundesliga, the capital club also separates only a few steps from the big goal: seven game days before the end of the season, the first championship in club history is within reach. After the double success against previous year’s finalist Aalborg, Hanning spoke of a “milestone” in the development of the club.
After the final whistle in Aalborg, the players stayed in the hall for a long time. Captain Max Darj was deeply impressed: “It is difficult to believe that we did it. This is something we can write in the history books,” he said.
On the final weekend in Cologne (June 14/15), the foxes want to take the last step. SC Magdeburg also hopes for participation – but must prove itself in the second leg at the Hungarian club KC Veszprém. The first leg ended 26:26.
While Magdeburg has been in the KO phase several times, it is the greatest success on international stage for the foxes. The team was already there last season and played for the championship in the Bundesliga, but against top teams there was no consistency in the crucial moments.
The team is much more stable in this season. The processes work, the offensive works – and every player seems to be convinced of success. Gidsel is the most striking player, but captain Darj emphasized the balance in the squad: “Everyone has their performance. This is a healthy team.”
The next task is waiting in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Then it goes against the relegation -threatened Bietigheim. After the unexpected loss of points at HC Erlangen, the highest concentration is required for the league leader.
“The success in the Champions League gives so much confidence. What we are currently showing on the record is incredibly good,” said district runner Mijajlo Marsenić. However, the Serb did not want to speak of a new number one in German handball: “We first have to show results” – also against Bietigheim.