From BZ/dpa
The Foxes are defending champions in the European League. But the Berliners have a difficult group and personnel concerns.
The handball foxes are once again starting the new season of the European League with great ambitions. “We want to get back to the Final Four and also want to be successful in this competition,” said the sports director Stefan Kretzschmar.
At the start, the defending champions will welcome Chambery Savoie from France in the Max-Schmeling-Halle on Tuesday (6.45 p.m./Dyn).
However, Kretzschmar expects a more difficult task than in previous years. “Despite the expansion, the competition has once again taken a step up in terms of quality. There are some teams that are at Champions League level. “It’s a very strong European league at the top,” he said.
Füchse board member Stefan Kretzschmar warns of a difficult group Photo: picture alliance / Sportfoto Zink
The other group opponents are Dinamo Bucharest – the top favorite for the title for Kretzschmar – and HC Izvidac (Bosnia-Herzegovina). “We got into a pretty strong group,” said coach Jaron Siewert: “So the first home game is very crucial.” In the changed mode, only the first two teams in the group advance. “Every game now has greater meaning,” said Siewert.
Foxes captain Paul Drux will be out for some time Photo: Uwe Anspach/dpa
And that could be a problem for the Foxes with their tight squad. Because with Paul Drux, Fabian Wiede and now also circle runner Max Darj, three top performers are injured. “In recent years, the European League has also been a bit of a playground for our young talent,” said Kretzschmar. But that could be more difficult this year given the strong competition.
“Nevertheless, the topic of time management plays a very important role. Of course we have to see how we distribute the forces there. It is clear that our regular players also have to get breaks and also have to regenerate. That will now also be the challenge,” said the 50-year-old.