Handball Champions League: Füchse Berlin before the Final Four: "We are the newcomer"

Just a few days after winning their historic first German championship, the next highlight awaits Füchse Berlin. This weekend, the Berlin team will also compete for the European handball crown in the Champions League Final Four in Cologne. "It's amazing to have reached the Final Four in our first year, especially considering the way we did it. It means a lot to us," said Sporting Director Stefan Kretzschmar.

The only question will be how much energy and mentality will remain after the grueling Bundesliga final and the subsequent celebrations. "I don't know how capable we are of handling this. The coach can try to prepare the team well, Kretzsche can give a motivational speech. But none of that will ensure we win these games. That can only happen from within," said Füchse managing director Bob Hanning.

The team has been back in training since Wednesday. "We simply have to get back into our usual rhythm quickly," said coach Jaron Siewert. Because we're starting from scratch in Cologne. "The team has said we're not going there as champions. The Champions League is a completely different competition. A championship is worth nothing," Siewert continued.

The Füchse face HBC Nantes from France in the first semifinal. "On paper, they might be the easiest opponent, but they're a very dangerous team. French teams in particular have shown often enough that the underdog can be successful," warned Kretzschmar. The other semifinal will feature two-time Champions League winners SC Magdeburg and defending champions FC Barcelona.

Some experts have declared the Füchse favorites in Cologne after their strong run in recent months. And the German championship title won't have diminished that. "We certainly acknowledge that and are happy to accept the compliments. But we certainly won't let it lull us into complacency," said Kretzschmar. Siewert also doesn't see his team as favorites. "Basically, the defending champions and the team that has won it the most times are the favorites: And those are both Barcelona. We, on the other hand, have never been to the final and are the newcomers," he said.

Kretzschmar therefore believes all teams are in the same position. "Everyone in the Final Four has what it takes to win it. There are so many things that play a role there in one weekend," he said.

Nevertheless, the Füchse are determined to win the next title and crown the season. Especially since, with the championship under their belt, they can now play freely and without pressure. "We won't have the huge burden that was on our shoulders this time, like we did against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen," said Hanning. Siewert is also counting on that. "I hope we can play the attractive, fast-paced handball of the last few weeks again," he said.