Big Fuchse Berlin over SG Flensburg Handewitt
In total 9,000 spectators filled the Max-Schmeling-Halle to witness a spectacular match in which Füchse Berlin secured a home victory on matchday 20 of the DAIKIN Handball-Bundesliga by defeating SG Flensburg-Handewitt 36:31 (19:16).
Fabian Wiede celebrated not only with his teammates but also with the full “Fuchsbau.”
It is difficult to single out one player for this success, as several players delivered stellar performances. For example, Tim Freihöfer emerged as the top scorer with 12 goals. Mathias Gidsel contributed 8 goals, four Assists, while Nils Lichtlein (4/1) and Matthes Langhoff (4/1) formed an excellent backcourt that consistently supported Fabian Wiede (3/2). Defensively, goalkeeper Dejan Milosavljev shone with 15 saves, and the interior block led by Mijajlo Marsenic added a 1 Block/1 Steal.
In the absence of the ill Lasse Andersson and Leo Prantner – with Hakun West av Teigum being the only right wing in the squad, scoring five goals– the German vice-champions stuck together and, after a brilliant start, showed their resilience. They repeatedly pulled away from the guests from SG Flensburg-Handewitt. Although the northern team started better in the second half, a 6:1 run by the Füchse helped them reestablish control and secure a much-cheered home win. With these two points, they defended their third-place position in the DAIKIN Handball-Bundesliga and remain in contention at the top.
In a match featuring several freshly crowned world champions from Denmark, the Danes opened the scoring. After Flensburg’s Mads Mensah Larsen netted the first goal, Mathias Gidsel equalized for the Füchse. A missed shot by another Dane, Simon Pytlick, was punished by Fabian Wiede, giving Berlin their first lead. Nils Lichtlein, who recently extended his contract in the capital until 2028, made it 3:2. Twice Matthes Langhoff—and three times in succession Tim Freihöfer—extended the hosts’ tally to eight, while the visitors from SGF had five. Shortly after, Dejan Milosavljev saved a seven-meter shot from Flensburg’s Emil Jakobsen.
A special moment came in the 14th minute when Fabian Wiede scored his 1000th HBL goal—all for the Füchse. Alongside Milosavljev, his Serbian compatriot Mijajlo Marsenic proved his defensive worth with a block in the 20th minute. During a period of being a man down, the Füchse saw their lead shrink from plus five to plus three. However, the Berliners rallied, with Tim Freihöfer repeatedly succeeding on fast breaks. After Hakun West av Teigum, who was just four days past his 23rd birthday, joined the scoring, Flensburg’s Pytlick restored the halftime score to 19:16.
From the locker room, the northern guests showed strength. After Pytlick’s opening shot, SGF closed to within one goal, and then a Danish world champion’s goal made it 21:20 (35.). However, Lichtlein promptly answered with a superb goal before assisting Langhoff. Following a technical error in their own attack, Milosavljev saved his team with a brilliant stop, preventing Flensburg from narrowing the gap further. Soon after, Gidsel took charge and increased the lead to 25:22 (40.). After his next goal, he immediately ran back to thwart an opponent’s counterattack.
About fifteen minutes from the end, Langhoff established a five-goal lead, while Hakun West av Teigum extended the margin to six with a finish using his weaker right hand. More strong saves by Milosavljev and an intense defensive effort around Marsenic delighted the sold-out crowd at the “Fuchsbau.” In the final stages, the Füchse remained composed and concentrated, and after 60 minutes the scoreboard read 36:31. On the following Thursday, top-level handball returns to the Max-Schmeling-Halle as the Berlin side hosts HC Eurofarm Pelister in the last group phase game of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League.
Coach Jaron Siewert commented, “We are, of course, mega happy that we managed to pull off this game in front of such a fantastic crowd. On our side, a lot went well: attitude, emotions—we engaged the spectators and returned energy. In both halves, we caught a momentum where many of us played outstandingly and gave everything. The pace we’re playing wasn’t as clear before the game, but high-scoring matches suit us more. It’s in our DNA. We won many duels. I am especially proud that when it got tight in the second half, we stayed calm and turned the game back in our favor.”
Club official Stefan Kretzschmar added, “It was a top game. Matthes Langhoff and Fabian Wiede filled their roles exceptionally well in the absence of Lasse Andersson. Mentality, ambition, and will were evident in every position today. What our interior block prevented—regardless of the formation—was impressive. Not to be overlooked, Mathias Gidsel once again delivered a strong performance and motivated the younger players. We can be proud of today, just as we have been in more critical phases.”
Füchse Berlin:
Ludwig; Milosavljev (15 saves); Wiede (3/2), Darj, Štrlek, Lichtlein (4/1), Gidsel (8), Freihöfer (2), Pichiri, Langhoff (4/1), Beneke, Herburger, av Teigum (5), Marsenic.
SG Flensburg-Handewitt:
Burić; Kevin Møller (13 saves); Pytlick (8), Golla (2), Kirkeløkke (3), Mensah Larsen (4), Gottfridsson, Jørgensen (3), Hansen (2), Horgen, Pedersen, Jakobsen (5), Blagotinšek (1), Lasse Møller (3)
