The Füchse Berlin handball players are starting the new season with a lot of humility and are deliberately keeping their expectations low. “We are facing a really difficult season,” announced managing director Bob Hanning. In addition to the Bundesliga, the pressure is increasing enormously with participation in the Champions League. On Saturday, the runner-up will start in the national league at ThSV Eisenach (8 p.m./Dyn), followed by the start of the premier class on Thursday.
“There will be some challenges this season. Last season we got almost the maximum out of it,” said sports director Stefan Kretzschmar. Despite second place last year, the Berliners do not see themselves as title contenders. “I cannot declare us the favorites, that would not be doing anyone a favor,” said Hanning.
The Foxes are also suffering from financial difficulties. In addition to their main sponsor, they have also lost other important partners. “We have never had anything like this in the 20 years I have been here. That is why there are economic constraints in the club,” said the managing director. Less money also means fewer players in the squad.
Squad remains thin
There were therefore only three new signings: the Austrian pivot Lukas Herburger (Kadetten Schaffhausen), Max Beneke and Lasse Ludwig. The two youngsters came from cooperation partner and first division promoted team 1. VfL Potsdam. The main problem of the squad being too small remains acute this season. “We have to hope that the youngsters develop further and that the new signings consciously bring what we envision,” said Hanning.
And yet, many experts consider the Füchse to be a title contender – alongside Magdeburg, Kiel and Flensburg. And of course the Berliners want to be involved as outsiders. “We weren’t the favorites for a Champions League spot last year either,” said coach Jaron Siewert. World handball player Mathias Gidsel is also optimistic. “The league is incredibly difficult. But we have shown in recent years that we are a candidate,” he said.
Hoping for further development
The Dane is focusing primarily on internal development, as the team has largely stayed together. “We have a good group and have made a step forward in a short space of time,” said Gidsel. But the 25-year-old is also clear: “Of course, no one can get injured.”
For him, winning the Supercup on Sunday against double winners SC Magdeburg was confirmation of further development. “That was an important sign. Because we have also developed further in our mentality,” said Gidsel. In the previous season, the Füchse had lost all of their final matches.
But first they have to prevail at the Bundesliga opener in Eisenach. “We have to work on our performance to prevail in the heated hall,” demanded Siewert. The coach then hopes that at least one of the two injured players will return. Captain Paul Drux and pivot Max Darj were recently missing.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240905-930-223641/1
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