Füchse Berlin: Finally champions! This is how Siewert won the title!

Füchse Berlin: Finally champions! This is how Siewert won the title!

The Füchse Berlin have done it: On Whitsunday 2024, after 20 years of hard work and investment, they became German handball champions. The decisive victory against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen with 38:33 secured the team the long-awaited title. Managing director Bob Hanning has repeatedly expressed his frustration over the lack of a league title since 2021, despite significant efforts and commitments from key players such as Mathias Gidsel and Max Darj. The successful season can finally be seen as the culmination of the efforts to deeply anchor the club's roots.

Coach Jaron Siewert, who has been in charge of the club's fortunes as head coach since 2020, is among other things in focus. He is considered Hanning's “creature” who brought him on board as a talented trainer. Although Siewert was under pressure to win titles, he showed remarkable independence and used strategic foresight to lead the team to the championship title. What is particularly noteworthy is that he has remained analytical and calm since suffering a stroke in August 2022, which has benefited him and his team. Siewert introduced lively plays last season and substituted players to increase stability and dynamism, which was ultimately crucial to success.

The path to the championship title

The path to this title was anything but easy. Both in training and in games, the Füchse relied on a fast backcourt game that always ensured the advantage. The team started the season finale as leaders and was able to convince against VfL Gummersbach with an impressive 45:35 win in the last Bundesliga home game. Mathias Gidsel stood out as the best thrower that day and contributed eleven goals. Goalkeeper Dejan Milosavljev was also seen as a key success factor, withstanding the Berlin team's offensive power in the second half.

The Foxes only needed a draw against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen on the last matchday to win the championship trophy. With 56 plus points, they were one point ahead of defending champions SC Magdeburg, who had to play against relegation-threatened SG BBM Bietigheim. The players met their final challenges all the more forcefully. In this context, Jaron Siewert was also voted Coach of the Season, an award that recognizes the performance of his team and his coaching style.

Talent promotion and a look into the future

In addition to the prominent new signings, the Füchse are also relying on promising young talents such as Matthes Langhoff, Tim Freihöfer, Nils Lichtlein and goalkeeper Lasse Ludwig. The team has made it its mission to promote talent, which not only strengthens the current team but also secures the future of the club. Gidsel, who is under contract until 2029, will make a decisive contribution to further success.

Finally, it is important to mention that Paul Drux, a former player, is moving to the Füchse office and following in Bob Hanning's footsteps. Another building block in the successful future of Füchse Berlin. The club has had the most German national players in its squad since 2003 and remains a central player in the handball Bundesliga.

The reporting by FAZ describes the decisive moments and the background to success, during World takes a closer look at the dramatic games that led to this championship title.