Handball Champions League: Gidsel’s collection of titles remains unfinished for the time being

analysis

As of: June 15, 2026 • 3:25 a.m

No title premiere, no perfect collection of titles, no rounded farewell: The Füchse Berlin lost the final for the title in the Handball Champions League. But for Mathias Gidsel it is clear: postponed is not canceled.

Mathias Gidsel sat on the substitutes’ bench with his head hanging while the FC Barcelona players celebrated in front of the red-blue fan curve shortly after the final whistle. Lasse Andersson leaned against the goal with tears in his eyes, Dejan Milosavljev shook his head in consternation. The Füchse Berlin lost the final against Barca 34:37 ​​after an exhausting game.

“I’m empty: physically and mentally. It was a strenuous final. Finishing with silver hurts. Sometimes sport is really hard and we felt that again this year.”said Gidsel, who was top scorer in the Champions League season with 153 goals, disappointed after the game at Sportschau-Mirko. The Foxes already failed in the final last year.

Emotionally charged game

The finale was emotionally charged in many ways. A win would have meant the first Champions League title in the club’s history. Exceptional handball player Mathias Gidsel could have made his collection of titles perfect. Deserved players like Lasse Andersson and goalkeeper Dejan Milosavljev, who are leaving the club, would have received their perfect farewell.

“We were nervous”said Milosavljev, who will play for the top Polish club Kielce from next season. “But I’m still proud of this medal,” said the goalkeeper. “When I look at the trip, I have to say it was a good time here in Berlin. And I’m sure the Füchse will win this title in the future, one hundred percent.”

Hunger remains

Coach Nikolaj Krickau’s conclusion was similar. “More hungry to come back to Cologne”that’s what he’ll take with him from this final. And Gidsel was also famously ambitious shortly after the final defeat: “I’m sure we’ll be back. And after a little vacation, I’ll be back better and faster next season. We always want to develop. That’s my goal at the moment.”

Man of superlatives

It is hard to imagine that Gidsel, who was voted world handball player three years in a row (2023, 2024, 2025), can get any better. Hardly anyone doubts that Mathias Gidsel is currently the best there is. The Champions League title is the only one missing from Gidsel’s perfect collection of titles.

With the national team, the Dane won the World Cup three times in a row (2021, 2023, 2025), won Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 and the European Championships in January this year. In four of these tournaments he not only took the top scorer crown, but was also voted MVP.

At club level, he won the Danish championship and the Danish cup with GOG Handbold before moving to Füchse Berlin in the Bundesliga. With the Füchse he celebrated the title in the EHF European League in 2023. The German championship followed in 2025. In April of these years he won the DHB Cup. The only thing missing is the Champions League. And he would like to get that with Berlin. Gidsel is under contract with the Füchsen until 2029.

Foxes co-creator

“I made a slightly different choice when I moved to the Foxes. That’s why it’s a special story. It was the right decision,” said Gidsel after the DHB Cup victory. Many people were surprised at the time that the talent of the century went to the up-and-coming but still untitled Berliners instead of a highly decorated top club. Gidsel wanted to help shape it, to help build something new.

“When I look back, it was the right decision. The development of the club in the last few years is incredible, we are now a really stable top club and fight for titles every year. That doesn’t mean that we win every year, but sometimes.”

Duel with future teammate

This is likely to happen one or two times in the future. Although two top performers, Andersson and Milosavlej, are leaving the club, thanks to Gidsel the club is now an attractive address for other top-class handball players.

Simon Pytlick, national team colleague and friend of Gidsel, will move from SG Flensburg-Handewitt to the Spree, but when is not exactly clear. And French superstar Dika Mem, who led Barcelona to the title against his future club this weekend, will also join the Foxes from summer 2027. “We are on an incredible journey”said Gidsel about the development of his team. The Dane makes it clear that it doesn’t end with the lost final this weekend.