By Sebastian Kayser
He shows immediately that he is a world star! Mathias Gidsel (23) came, saw and put the foxes Berlin on the (champion) track at the start of the Bundesliga in front of 6892 spectators: 34:27 against Frisch Auf Göppingen.
The favorite struggled for a long time and was behind. Then interim coach Bob Hanning (54), who replaced the sick Jaron Siewert (28), brought in the Danish world champion and Olympic silver medalist.
In the first six minutes of his foxes era, Gidsel got three penalty kicks, “made” two of Göppingen’s three sending-offs, set up a goal and scored one himself. A crazy debut!
Nils Lichtlein from the foxes and Jaka Malus from Frisch Auf Goeppingen in a duel Photo: City Press
Gidsel, who ended up scoring two goals: “It was a dream to play in front of such a crowd! That’s why you come to Germany.” The fact is: Gidsel takes the foxes to a new level. Göppingen’s coach Hartmut Mayerhoffer (53): “The best team Berlin has ever had.”
Gidsel’s compatriot Hans Lindberg (41), whose shirt number 18 was pulled under the roof of the hall before the game and will never be given out again, was the best thrower with twelve goals.
Mijajlo Marsenic from the foxes throws at the Göppingen goal Photo: City Press
The honor came at just the right time: minutes later he was the first Bundesliga professional to break the sound barrier of 1,300 converted seven meters.
Great start for the foxes!