- Foxes in Berlin ahead of Champions League kickoff: "Something Extraordinary"
After over a decade of abstaining from competitive handball, the Berlin Foxes are set to return to the Handball Champions League on Thursday. "We've got a good vibe going on, we're up for this challenge and can't wait for the atmosphere. It's something unique," said Danish Olympic medalist Lasse Andersson. Their debut match sees them welcome ambitious Hungarian champions Veszprém HC (8:45 PM/Dyn).
Excitement is buzzing, and the Berliners are not allowing any room for jitters. "You need to punch in from the get-go. But that's easy when you walk into the hall and the anthem starts playing, the energy just flows in naturally," said Andersson, who has played in the Champions League with FC Barcelona and Kolding IF. Not many 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.
