The Füchse Berlin made a significant mark in the Handball Bundesliga this week by defeating the reigning champions SC Magdeburg with a score of 33:30 on Friday, March 21, 2025. This victory not only showcased their skill but also marked the first time they triumphed in Magdeburg since 2019.
The match was set in the bustling Magdeburg arena, which hosted nearly 6,600 enthusiastic fans. Füchse's head coach, Jaron Siewert, praised the performance, claiming, "We are mega happy to have overcome this major hurdle in Magdeburg." The intensity of the game was evident, particularly during a moment when their star player, Matthias Gidsel, was brought down during a fast break, which intensified the atmosphere.
Dejan Milosavljev, the Füchse goalkeeper, was a standout performer, recording an impressive 16 saves throughout the game. Before halftime, Milosavljev had a save rate of 24%, contributing significantly to Füchse’s lead as they went into the break ahead 17:15.
Both teams displayed their strengths as they rapidly exchanged goals, maintaining a thrilling pace throughout the match. However, it was Füchse's defensive strategies and exceptional goalkeeper performance that secured the win against a resilient Magdeburg side.
Füchse’s triumph sent a strong message in the title race, placing them at the top of the league standings with 37 points, level with TSV Hannover-Burgdorf, while Magdeburg slipped to sixth place with 29 points. The significance of this game was not lost on the players or the coaching staff.
In the lead-up to the match, former coach of SG Flensburg-Handewitt, Maik Machulla, confidently predicted that the winner of this encounter would be crowned the German champion. Given how the Füchse emerged victorious, it seems his prediction may very well come to fruition.
The nerve-wracking second half saw Füchse initially extend their lead to four goals at one point (25:21/45 minutes). However, as the game wore on, Magdeburg rallied, demonstrating their tenacity and closing the gap to just one goal with a late surge. Despite their efforts, Füchse held their nerve in the final minutes, with Gidsel scoring the decisive goal to secure the win.
After the victory, Coach Siewert reflected on the performance, stating, "It’s great that our strong performance was rewarded. I’m very proud of the team, who deserved to win." Additionally, he acknowledged the challenge that lay ahead but was optimistic about his team’s chances moving forward.
The road doesn’t get any easier for the Füchse, as they are set to clash with Kielce in the quarter-final qualification of the Champions League on March 26, 2025, before facing HSV Hamburg at home on March 30, 2025. After the home match, they will then return to Kielce for the return leg on April 2, 2025. With these upcoming challenges on the horizon, the Füchse will strive to maintain their momentum.
This victory not only highlights the potential of Füchse Berlin as title contenders but also emphasizes the competitive nature of the Bundesliga this season. As the season progresses, each match is crucial in determining the eventual champion.
