By Ulrike Krieger
The injuries to national player Paul Drux (28/ Achilles tendon surgery) and Fabian Wiede (29/ ankle surgery) were his big opportunity and he took advantage of it.
Berlin’s young star Nils Lichtlein (21) has been inspiring the Füchse in the playmaker position in the handball Bundesliga for weeks.
He was the decisive man in the win against Melsungen (37:31). When the score was 31:30 (54th), he went ahead courageously and scored two goals in a row, to make it 32:30 and 33:30 (56th), putting his Foxes on course for victory.
For ten match days, the U21 world champion and MVP of the tournament has been excellently directing the attack of the still unbeaten league leaders and has played a key role in their success.
Hens: “He completely convinced me”
The handball icons rave about Lichtlein. Ex-Lion star and multiple Bundesliga MVP Andy Schmid (40) at Dyn: “He put the Foxes on the winning road against Melsungen. He makes the right decisions in every situation.” Füchse sports director Stefan Kretzschmar on Lichtlein’s season so far: “It’s outstanding how he has accepted his role.” Former world champion Pascal Hens (43) at Dyn (“hot fries”): “At the beginning of the season I didn’t think he could do that yet. Now he has completely convinced me.”
Füchse manager Bob Hanning would like to have Lictlein in the national team Photo: picture alliance / Eibner press photo
Foxes Managing Director Bob Hanning (55), former coach and sponsor of Lichtlein in the Füchse A youth team and at Potsdam, would therefore like to see Lichtlein in the national team. But an invitation for the DHB course and the international matches on November 3rd and 5th. Lichtlein didn’t get it against Egypt. National coach Alfred Gislason (64) did not nominate the league leaders’ playmaker.
National coach Alfred Gislason did not nominate Lichtlein Photo: dpa
Hanning: “I think it would be wrong not to take him with me. I’m not saying that the other nominations aren’t right. I was very happy that the other three U21 world champions Renars Uscins, Justus Fischer both from Hanover and David Späth from the Lions were there. And the nomination of goalkeeper Silvio Heinevetter and left winger Tim Nothdurft is also absolutely understandable and good. I can well understand Alfred’s thoughts. Nevertheless, I say: Lichtlein belongs in the national team.”
And Hanning explains: “He is a completely different type of middle player that we don’t have in Germany. Plus left-handed. He has the ability to play a second in the future. Every week he brings the stars like Mathias Gidsel and Lasse Andersson into their throwing positions for the Füchse. He learns quickly, adapts a lot and he is the playmaker who plays a key role in ensuring that the Füchse are in first place.”
And Hannig adds: “I’m not alone with my opinion. After the Melsungen game I had 270 WhatsApp messages, 190 of which were about this topic. So I can’t be that wrong with my assessment. I also made my opinion clear to Alfred.”
Lichtlein praises teammates
Lichtlein after the Melsungen game: “After the U21 World Cup, I was hoping to get more playing time. Due to the many injuries, this is now my chance that I can take advantage of. And my teammates, like Lasse Andersson and Mathias Gidsel, are happy about every ball I take, because they’re already doing enough for us. That’s why I have enough freedom for my game and it’s working really well at the moment.”