The Füchse Berlin stormed to their second German Cup title with an explosive offensive display, securing the first trophy of the season. The German champions, led by world handball player Mathias Gidsel, crushed the Bergischer HC 42-33 (22-17) in a one-sided final at the Final Four in Cologne, preventing another fairy tale run from the surprise team and repeating their only previous DHB-Pokal triumph from 2014.
“Unbelievable that we achieved this over the weekend,” Gidsel told ARD. “Winning the cup for the club for the first time in twelve years fills me with immense pride and means a great deal to me.”
Gidsel, who claimed his first title at Cologne’s handball temple in his illustrious career, shone once again with nine goals in front of 19,750 spectators at the Lanxess Arena. However, his Danish compatriot Lasse Andersson was the top scorer in the highest-scoring final in cup history with ten goals. After a decisive sprint before halftime, the favorites left no doubt in the second half.
Following their first league championship in club history and a Champions League final appearance last year, this represents another milestone for the Berlin club. The new cup winners also pocket a prize of €200,000.
BHC’s Dream Shattered
For the BHC, who sensationally defeated Champions League winners SC Magdeburg in a seven-meter thriller in the semifinals the day before, the dream of a major triumph was dashed in their first final appearance. Nevertheless, by reaching the final, the team from Wuppertal and Solingen wrote the most spectacular story of the weekend.
“I managed to get some sleep around 2 a.m., but that’s no excuse. Today it’s all or nothing,” said BHC player Noah Beyer, who had scored the decisive seven-meter in the semifinal, just before the final throw-off on ARD. He assured, “We’re ready to do exactly what we did yesterday one more time.”
The Bergisch team started nervously and were fortunate not to fall three goals behind early. At 5-5 (7th minute) through Sören Steinhaus, the game was level again. However, the Füchse always set the tone and built a 13-10 lead (18th minute).
“There are too many quick goals conceded; we need to improve our transition defense,” demanded BHC coach Markus Pütz during his first timeout. Even without a defense as outstanding as Saturday’s, the promoted side fought back to within one goal twice, at 14-13 (21st minute) and 17-16 (27th minute). But a 5-1 run stretched the lead back to five goals. Now, national coach Alfred Gislason said on ARD, the BHC needed “a perfect second half to dream of victory.”
Another Handball Sensation Far Away
Yet despite a spirited fight, the Bergisch team were far from that. Unlike the SCM the previous day, the Füchse, anchored by strong national player Nils Lichtlein, showed real killer instinct. When Max Darj made it 34-26 (47th minute), the lead stretched to eight goals for the first time – the decisive moment.
Earlier, SC Magdeburg had even missed out on the consolation prize. “Am I worried? Of course,” said coach Bennet Wiegert after a 31-35 (15-16) loss in the third-place match against TBV Lemgo Lippe. In the Bundesliga, the team is almost assured of the title. But in this form from the weekend, a return to Cologne in June for the Champions League Final Four seems unlikely.
