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Füchse Berlin triumph without Gidsel: A victory based on team strength!
Mathias Gidsel from Füchse Berlin suffers a red card in the semi-finals of the EHF Final4 2025, but the team wins confidently.
Füchse Berlin triumph without Gidsel: A victory based on team strength!
An exciting handball weekend is coming: On June 15, 2025, the eagerly awaited semi-finals of the Truckscout24 EHF Final4 took place in Cologne's Lanxess Arena. The Füchse Berlin, who arrived as newly crowned German champions, met the unexpected opponents of HBC Nantes. While the fans were betting on clear winners, an unexpected incident caused excitement on the field: Mathias Gidsel, the two-time world handball player and top goalscorer for the Foxes, received a red card after just nine minutes.
As Handball-Welt reports, Gidsel injured himself after he slipped on the hall floor and hit an opponent. A setback that did not derail the team. On the contrary: The Foxes continued their strong performance and were already leading 6-3 at the time of his exclusion. By halftime the lead was extended to an impressive 18:12, and the game ended with a clear 34:24 victory for the Berliners.
Team spirit instead of individual hero
The team proved that they can survive even without their main character. Stefan Kretzschmar, the Füchse's sports director, explained that the team had to regroup in this unusual situation. But all players contributed to the team performance: Max Darj and Mijajlo Marsenic in the inside block, Dejan Milosavljev in goal and Fabian Wiede, Nils Lichtlein, Lasse Andersson and Matthes Langhoff in the offensive. Nils Lichtlein in particular took responsibility in one-on-one situations, while Lukas Herburger saw the chance to prove the team without Gidsel's influence. Tim Freihöfer noted that despite the shock, the team played well and didn't get nervous, which Jaron Siewert commented with pride.
Gidsel's performance so far is particularly impressive: two months ago, Bob Hanning, manager of the Füchse, announced his belief in a victory in the Champions League, which Gidsel has significantly supported with his outstanding form and style of play. As well as carrying responsibility on the pitch, the Dane has enjoyed a successful career, including his role as a three-time world champion with Denmark.
Safety in handball sports
The incident with Gidsel also sheds light on the safety aspects of handball. According to Safety Sport, care should always be taken to ensure the right conditions in the hall in order to prevent such injuries. The choice of indoor sports shoes plays a central role here. They should have a non-slip sole to prevent slipping. The care of the hall floors is also crucial: improper care can have a negative impact on the gliding properties and lead to accidents. Safety is the top priority in handball.
The Füchse Berlin semi-final is a sign of the team's strength and their unshakable team spirit. The conditions for an exciting final in the Champions League were in place. The audience could look forward to an exciting handball weekend, and the players knew: Together we are strong - even without the superstar.