Double expulsion, fan anger and top game defeat: things are going crazy for the handball champions

The Füchse Berlin are in the midst of a horror week: The unprecedented double dismissal of sporting director Stefan Kretzschmar and coach Jaron Siewert has left the team and their supporters deeply unsettled. In the top Bundesliga match against SC Magdeburg, they suffered a bitter 32:39 (13:22) defeat, at one point even trailing by twelve goals.

Coach Nicolej Krickau had a debut to forget, while club boss Bob Hanning was the focus of fan fury. "If you bear responsibility, you have to stand up for it," Hanning said on ARD. His words were accompanied by loud whistles and chants of "Jaron Siewert" that echoed through the arena. Around him, fans held up signs with emotional tributes to Kretzschmar and Siewert. Particularly bitter: Magdeburg supporters also mocked Hanning, shouting, "Without Jaron, you have no chance."

New coach Krickau was also booed, but took it in good spirits: "I completely understand the reaction. In the end, it shows the fans' respect for Jaron." In light of the chaotic days, he also tempered expectations: "I can't imagine a top performance against Nantes or Gummersbach. The reality is different. I have no idea how the individual players will react. We have to focus a lot on the process."

Magdeburg dominated at will, playing a merciless, fast-paced game and consistently exploiting Berlin's weak defensive behavior. SCM goalkeeper Sergey Hernández shone by halftime, making nine saves. The Füchse, on the other hand, made a series of missed shots and passes. Even star player Mathias Gidsel couldn't find his footing and looked unusually weak in the final stages. There was no sign of a battle between two top teams. At times, Berlin looked like a relegated team.

After the final whistle, Berlin's leading players dismissed media reports that parts of the team had pushed for Siewert's departure. "I only know that we as a team had no problems with Jaron, that we never clashed. We felt he was our coach, at least for this year," emphasized backcourt player Fabian Wiede.

Gidsel also clarified: "Sure, we're always in contact with Bob, but to say this is our decision is wrong. It's not my decision or that of any player. The club made this decision because they think it's best for the future. But it doesn't make it any easier for us players."

Visibly moved, the Danish Olympic champion spoke about the difficult days: "It was difficult, humanly speaking, to stand here. You can't put it aside. Everyone knows what Jaron and Kretzsche mean to me personally. It hits us very hard when news like this comes."