On December 26, 2023, the Lanxess Arena in Cologne hosted a thrilling handball match between VfL Gummersbach and Füchse Berlin. Touted as the highlight of the Bundesliga season, the game attracted over 19,000 enthusiastic fans eager to support their teams amid the festive atmosphere.
VfL Gummersbach was desperate to end their disappointing streak, having lost four consecutive games leading up to this clash. ''We go with the aim to present ourselves differently than against Wetzlar,'' declared Gummersbach coach Kristjan Horzen, indicating the need for substantial improvement against formidable opponents. Füchse Berlin's Mathias Gidsel was particularly highlighted by Horzen, who noted him as one of the world’s best players, stating, ''They are dangerous on all positions, especially Gidsel.''
The night started on a hopeful note for Gummersbach as Kentin Mahé made a surprising return from injury. Initially sidelined after sustaining an elbow tendon injury, his appearance created optimism among fans. The anticipation surrounding Mahé's comeback proved palpable as cheers erupted from the crowd upon his entry on the court.
From the starting whistle, the game unfolded at lightning speed. Early exchanges were filled with excitement, with Gummersbach's Julian Köster hitting the crossbar within the first minute, only for Füchse to capitalize quickly as Gidsel opened the scoring. Both teams showcased their attacking prowess, leading to swift transitions and numerous scoring attempts.
Despite Gummersbach's impressive offensive tactics, they struggled defensively, allowing Füchse to establish control early. A pivotal moment came when Mijajlo Marsenic of Füchse scored to put Berlin up 7-5. Gummersbach fought to stay close, with pivotal saves from goalkeeper Dominik Kuzmanovic allowing them to claw back time and again.
Yet, the persistent pressure from Füchse kept Gummersbach on the backfoot. Following multiple near-falls and consistent scoring from Füchse, Gummersbach saw themselves trailing by four goals late in the first half. Horzen was forced to call for timeouts to regroup his team and strategize on the defensive front.
Gummersbach's spirits were lifted momentarily during the second half as they made efforts to close the gap, reducing the deficit to just two points at various stages. Nevertheless, they constantly fell victim to mistakes at pivotal moments, undermining their attempts to seize control of the game.
Füchse capitalized by maintaining their lead and extending it whenever necessary, capping off Gummersbach’s last efforts at halting their scoring momentum. Gidsel, the standout player of the match, consistently made plays through Gummersbach's defense, sealing the game with key goals.
Despite Mahé’s contributions, Gummersbach could not turn the tide. The match ended with Füchse Berlin taking the win at 29-22, marking Gummersbach’s fifth loss consecutively. The defeat was disheartening for the home team, which had hoped for redemption on such a momentous occasion.
After the match, coach Horzen reflected on the team’s performance, noting, ''We have to work on eliminating our technical mistakes if we want to compete with top-tier teams like Füchse.'' With the Bundesliga now heading toward its winter break, Gummersbach will surely need to regroup and come back stronger. The Füchse, meanwhile, head to the WM pause with momentum on their side, ready to capitalize on their recent successes.
