Immediate exit from the Füchse: Stefan Kretzschmar and Jaron Siewert must go

Stefan Kretzschmar wanted to continue his work with Füchse Berlin "with full passion" until the end of the season and lead the German champions to further titles. Successful coach Jaron Siewert felt "extremely comfortable" and planned a future in the capital. Neither the handball icon nor the coach will get that chance. The capital club, led by power-conscious club boss Bob Hanning, has released both executives after weeks of tension – and just before the top match against SC Magdeburg this Saturday (3:40 p.m./Dyn/ARD).

Nicolej Krickau succeeds Jaron Siewert

Berlin has appointed Nicolej Krickau as Siewert's successor. The Dane most recently coached SG Flensburg-Handewitt, but was forced to leave early in December of last year. Füchse star Mathias Gidsel and the 38-year-old know each other from their time together at GOG Handbold. Kretzschmar had been sporting director at the capital club since 2020 and, with his personnel decisions, had significantly developed the team into a top-flight team. The former international played a key role in Gidsel's move to Berlin .

The power struggle at the top of the club is overshadowing the sporting headlines and pushing the real excitement of the top-flight clash into the background. The Handball Bundesliga is therefore looking ahead to the capital with excitement and many unanswered questions. How much of a strain will the turmoil be on preparations for the summit clash?

From a sporting perspective, there couldn't be more to it. Defending champions versus runners-up. Champions League winners versus finalists. The league leaders from the Spree River against their pursuers from the Elbe River. "It will be a very close and important game – the points count almost double. The two teams with probably the best chances in the fight for the next championship will meet," national coach Alfred Gislason told dpa.

What began as a thrilling derby between two ambitious handball rivals has evolved into an emotional summit meeting with national appeal. It's about prestige, rivalry—and a first hint of the title race. "We see this as an opportunity to take a step forward in this championship and make a statement that last year's championship wasn't just luck," Gidsel said.

Füchse captain: Playing handball is our job

Last season, Germany's top teams provided several spectacles. The Füchse Berlin's victory in the second half of the Bundesliga season paved the way for the Berlin club to clinch the historic first championship title in the club's history. Magdeburg impressively took revenge in the Champions League final. "We're a bit proud that we've turned the league around. It used to be Kiel or Flensburg. Now it's Magdeburg or Berlin," Gidsel explained.

Several top players, including Gidsel, Danish world champion Lasse Andersson, and new signing Tobias Gröndahl, repeatedly emphasized that Kretzschmar's personality was a decisive factor in their move to Berlin. The Füchse now face the challenge of maintaining the squad's top international level even without Kretzschmar's charisma. Will the team lose focus, or will they develop a now-more-than-ever mentality in the top clash with Magdeburg? Füchse captain Max Darj made it clear: "We have to play handball; that's our job."