- Foxes in Berlin vor dem Start der Champions League: "Etwas Außergewöhnliches"
Nach über einem Jahrzehnt des Verzichts auf den Handballwettbewerb kehren die Berlin Foxes am Donnerstag in die Handball Champions League zurück. "Wir haben eine gute Stimmung, wir sind bereit für diese Herausforderung und können es kaum erwarten, die Atmosphäre zu spüren. Das ist etwas Einzigartiges", sagte der dänische Olympiamedaillengewinner Lasse Andersson. Ihr Debütspiel findet gegen die ehrgeizigen ungarischen Meister Veszprém HC (20:45 Uhr/Dyn) statt.
Die Aufregung ist groß, und die Berliner lassen keinen Raum für Nervosität. "Du musst von Anfang an einsteigen. Aber das ist leicht, wenn du in die Halle gehst und die Hymne spielt, fließt die Energie natürlich rein", sagte Andersson, der in der Champions League für FC Barcelona und Kolding IF gespielt hat. few Foxes players can boast the same.
However, coach Jaron Siewert sees experience as a lesser concern. "Veszprém might have an edge in the Champions League, but they don't have the daily grind we face in the Bundesliga. Every game for us is crucial. German teams hold a competitive advantage," he said.
Just a few weeks back, the Foxes confronted Veszprém at a test tournament in Halle (Westphalia), where the Hungarians handed the Berliners a 41:32 defeat. "Maybe they'll underestimate us now, believing they can easily best us," said Siewert. However, the test match holds little importance for him. "We know what's coming," he added.
Following their win of the national Supercup and a successful start to the Bundesliga, the Foxes march into this game with self-assurance. "We're not intimidated. It's just handball. There's no need to be nervous. There are plenty of top games in the Bundesliga too," said Andersson.
The Berliners' other group adversaries include Paris St. Germain, Sporting Lisbon, Dinamo Bucharest, Wisla Plock (Poland), Fredericia Handball (Denmark), and HC Eurofarm Pelister (North Macedonia). "We've got a decent group and numerous opportunities", said World Handballer Mathias Gidsel.
In their first Champions League season in 2011/12, the Foxes made it to the Final Four. "And we've got that chance again this time, providing everyone stays fit", predicted Gidsel optimistically.
Andersson's handball career includes stints with FC Barcelona and Kolding IF, adding to the Berlin Foxes' experience. Despite their defeat to Veszprém in a previous match, the Foxes are confident, citing their Bundesliga success and the competitive advantage of German teams.
