Füchse Berlin German champions for first time
Celebrations in the capital: Füchse Berlin made history on the last day of play in the DAIKIN Handball-Bundesliga by winning the German championship for the first time ever. The team under coach Jaron Siewert secured the crucial points for the title with a 38:33 win over Rhein-Neckar Löwen – and celebrated with the fans who joined them in Mannheim, as well as thousands of public viewing supporters.
Nerve-racking finale
The match in the sold-out SAP Arena began extremely unfavourably. The home team quickly took a 3:0 lead and Berlin were sluggish to get going. Mathias Gidsel did not score Füchse’s first goal until the third minute. The match then remained an uphill struggle: Mannheim managed to pull away again, but Berlin countered with individual moves and huge strength of will. Vital saves by Dejan Milosavljev and later Lasse Ludwig kept Füchse in the game. Nevertheless, at half-time the scoreline stood at 20:17 to Löwen – Berlin’s defence was still lacking.
In the second half, the team showed why they were a title contender: led by a strong Tim Freihöfer (eleven goals) and an enthusiastic Gidsel (ten goals), Berlin equalised and then took the lead for the first time in the 42nd minute. Füchse then played with pace, oversight and decisiveness. Milosavljev excelled himself, Darj blocked some crucial throws, and Prantner scored from a sharp angle. Their hunger for the title was clear – and ultimately sated with a 38:33 score.
Champion coach with distinction
Coach Jaron Siewert made some smart, calm adjustments to his team in half-time. Just a few days earlier he had been named ‘coach of the season’ by the HBL – an endorsement of this 31 year old and his ongoing development work since 2020. Siewert was the youngest head coach in the league when he took over Füchse, and has gradually shaped them into a top-level team. The reward: the first championship title in the club’s history.
The coolness the team showed all the way through and the way they stepped up their defence at the end, that was the crucial factor
Siewert said after the match.
CEO Bob Hanning and sports director Stefan Kretzschmar also had some clear words to say. Hanning described it as ‘60 minutes of having your wisdom teeth pulled without anaesthetic – and in the second half it was pure love and reflection on what we can do and what we stand for’.
Sports director Stefan Kretzschmar added:
My emotions are a mixture of joy, satisfaction and relief. It is difficult to sum it up in the moment. I am incredibly proud of this team.
Strategy, patience and Berlin identity
The club’s long-term journey also shows that the title is about much more than just this moment. Füchse have spent years working on sustainability, young talent development and continuity – not as a buzzword, but as everyday practice. With players that have grown up within the team’s system, a trainer who inspires trust, and a clear plan that was pursued regardless of short-term success. This championship title therefore also demonstrates that consistent development work has its place in elite sport.
Celebrating with the fans – Badeschiff becomes party venue
The celebrations began in Mannheim as soon as the final whistle blew: the team celebrated on the pitch with the fans, before flying back to Berlin. Around 1,500 supporters were awaiting them at Berlin’s Badeschiff swimming pool – where they had been watching the match via a public viewing. Celebrations lasted into the small hours on an improvised stage with a DJ, light show and champagne fountains. CEO Hanning, captain Drux and old-hand Wiede danced alongside fans, team and staff. This was a historic party night for Berlin.
Next up: Champions League final four in Cologne
The team do not have long to rest on their laurels: their next big stage is just around the corner. The EHF Champions League final four is this Saturday (14 June) at the LANXESS Arena in Cologne. Füchse are facing HBC Nantes in the semi-final (3 p.m.) and the other semi-final is between SC Magdeburg and FC Barcelona. The final is on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. – or if they lose, the battle for third place is at 3 p.m.
This offers Berlin an opportunity to round off an exceptional season with the European crown. The team are heading into the tournament with their heads held high, building on the euphoria of their first championship title and confidence in their own strengths. The mission in Cologne: to achieve another milestone in Füchse Berlin‘s journey.
Hats off to a team that have excelled themselves with clever play, discipline and character – and earned themselves a place in the history books. This title is a moment to remember. A moment for all who were there. And for everyone who has believed in it and worked towards it in recent years.
We can’t wait to see what happens next and wish Füchse Berlin much luck and success in the final four.