By Ulrike Krieger
Final entry against Montpellier (35:29) rocked. Sunday in Flensburg (6 p.m. / DAZN) is the final of the European League. Füchse Berlin meet BM Granollers. The Spaniards surprisingly threw out Frisch Auf Göppingen 31:29 in the second semi-final.
But how do Berliners pass the waiting time until the final kicks off? BILD takes a look behind the scenes.
The foxes team and support staff (around 25 men) are guests in Flensburg at the Hotel am Hafen. In the evening after the semi-finals, the Berliners watched the Spaniards’ game against Göppingen on their cell phones while having supper, after which coach Jaron Siewert (29) called for the first video study. All important scenes are already cut together.
Max Darj, Mijajlo Marsenic, Marko Kopljar, Milos Vujovic and Fabian Wiede (from left) going for a walk Photo: Foxes Berlin
In between, Ben Kuntz (37) and Lukas Stolz (32) have constant visitors in the room: because the two physios make sure that the foxes’ tired legs are awake again. Kuntz, himself a former national team swimmer from Heidelberg: “Everyone had a massage, we treated aches and pains together with the team doc and made sure that the players replenished their exhausted bodies with electrolytes and proteins.“
Doctor Sebastian Bierke (43) Mathias Gidsel (on the couch) and Physio Ben Kuntz (37/from left) Photo: Foxes Berlin
If it wasn’t your turn yet, you passed the time with card games. Robert Weber (37), Mathias Gidsel (24) and Fabian Wiede (29) gambled a bit.
The last visitor to the massage bench was Captain Fabian Wiede (29). Kuntz: “It was his turn at around 11.30 p.m., we relaxed his back and treated his shoulder. No problem, everyone is fit, but went to bed pretty early. We finished work shortly after midnight.”
Fabian Wiede reveals: “I don’t know exactly, but maybe the 3 hours that we finished earlier than the Spaniards on Saturday are a small advantage in the end.”
Lindberg, Andersson, Marsenic and Wiede (from left) watch the 2nd semi-final on their mobile phones at dinner Photo: Foxes Berlin
The match day rituals continue on Sunday. After breakfast there was a short walk through the harbour, everyone was allowed to do whatever they wanted. Marko Kopljar, Tim Freihöfer and Fabian Wiede met manager Bob Hanning (55) for a coffee chat. Hanning and Wiede with a cup of coffee – that’s a tradition. Wiede: “We always do that before a final.”
Sunday coffee with the boss. Bob Hanning (red sweater) with Marko Kopljar, Tim Freihöfer and Fabian Wiede Photo: Foxes Berlin
At 1:40 p.m., coach Siewert asked for the second round of video this time with the first game briefing. At 2 p.m., the final foxes will be served pasta for lunch. Physio Kuntz: “We don’t make rules for the players when it comes to eating, they’re all professionals. We just make sure that everything you need is there. If you want, you can get a cake snack or coffee later around 3:30 p.m..”
4.30 p.m. we go into the hall – Finaaaaaaale!