Füchse Berlin continues their impressive handball season with a remarkable series of victories. Recently, they secured their seventh consecutive win in the Champions League, defeating Sporting CP 38:37 in Lisbon. The match was fiercely contested, with Sporting initially leading 10-7 after 13 minutes, taking advantage of gaps in Berlin's defense. However, Füchse responded strongly after a goalkeeper change to Lasse Ludwig, whose three crucial saves shifted momentum, allowing Berlin to take the lead with a 3-0 run to 15-13. Post halftime, they capitalized on Sporting’s errors to extend their lead to 26-22, despite the visitors narrowing the gap throughout. Mathias Gidsel was the standout player, scoring 13 goals, including two decisive late goals, despite being visibly exhausted after a demanding schedule. Lasse Andersson and Tobias Gröndahl contributed eight goals each. The match featured a red card for Andersson with two minutes remaining, adding tension to the final moments. Earlier, Füchse Berlin achieved a significant victory in the Bundesliga by defeating record champions THW Kiel 32:29 at their home ground in Max-Schmeling-Halle in front of 9,000 fans. This victory moved them into third place in the Bundesliga standings, overtaking Kiel. Key players included Tim Freihöfer with ten goals and Gidsel with eight. The game was athletic, with Berlin establishing an early lead of 5:2, then pulling ahead to 14:8 by halftime. Kiel fought back in the second half, leveling the score at 27:27, but Füchse held their nerve in the final moments. The team expressed exhaustion but also relief, with managing director Bob Hanning praising their energy, especially in the last ten minutes when injuries and fatigue threatened their performance. Hanning announced plans to strengthen the squad by signing an experienced player, actively negotiating with two or three candidates, with a new signing expected in two weeks. Gidsel emphasized resilience, citing the team's strength in crucial moments. The intense schedule of matches, including the Champions League and Bundesliga fixtures, recently took a toll on the players. Gidsel, in particular, faced a demanding 44-hour period, starting with the Champions League game in Lisbon and following with the Bundesliga match at home against Kiel. Despite fatigue, Gidsel managed to score the last two goals in the Kiel game. This schedule has highlighted the heavy workload on professional handball players, with many dealing with injuries and exhaustion. Teams often travel long distances, frequently by bus or charter flights, to manage their tight schedules, especially during the European competition period in late autumn. Some clubs, like SG Flensburg-Handewitt, opt for charter flights to reduce travel fatigue. Players and staff have voiced concerns about the physical toll, noting that the congested fixture list—12 matches in total until December 27, along with a European Championship in January 2026—leaves little room for recovery. They acknowledge the necessity of such a demanding schedule for success but remain cautious about its long-term impact on players’ health. In some cases, players like Lasse Andersson are considering transferring to clubs with less strenuous schedules to protect their well-being. Overall, the season remains highly intense, with teams striving to optimize performance amid ongoing physical challenges.