Great morale: Füchse Berlin reach the final of the Super Globe
The handball team Füchse Berlin have surprisingly reached the final of the IHF Super Globe in Saudi Arabia. The Berlin team won the first semi-final on Saturday against the favorites FC Barcelona after overtime with 35:34 (16:16, 29:29) thanks to great morale. They will now meet the winner of the subsequent match between Barlinek Industria Kielce and defending champions SC Magdeburg in the final on Sunday. Berlin's best scorers were Mathias Gidsel with ten goals and Hans Lindberg with eight.
Right from the start, the game between the Bundesliga leaders and the eleven-time Champions League winners was evenly balanced. The Berliners repeatedly managed to play quick attacks. The Foxes were able to open up a slight gap for the first time midway through the first half at 12:8. However, two time penalties threw coach Jaron Siewert's team off its stride somewhat. Barcelona responded with a 4:0 run.
The Foxes also missed too many top-class chances. That did not change at the start of the second half. As a result, Barcelona not only took the lead for the first time immediately after the break, but also extended it to 20:17.
However, the Foxes fought back and tied the scores at 29:29 with 70 seconds remaining. Lasse Ludwig even saved a controversial seven-meter penalty with six seconds remaining. Extra time also remained exciting. Nils Lichtlein scored the winner with 29 seconds remaining. The Spaniards' last shot was blocked.
The victory over FC Barcelona in the IHF Super Globe semi-finals marks a significant achievement for Handball club Foxes Berlin. Regardless of the outcome of the final against either Barlinek Industria Kielce or defending champions SC Magdeburg, Foxes Berlin's performance against Barcelona in the Super Globe will undoubtedly be remembered by their fervent supporters at Foxes Berlin, fondly known as 'Füchse Berlin'.
Source: www.dpa.com
