Handball Bundesliga
Encourager Lichtlein: Füchse young stars are shaking up the league
Nils Lichtlein played a key role in the rise of the Berlin Foxes. photo
© Andreas Gora/dpa
It’s all about the mix at Füchse Berlin. The undefeated table leader relies on experienced handball stars and young talents. A U21 world champion has a special gift.
In the summer, young handball star Nils Lichtlein led the U21s to the World Cup title. Meanwhile, the narrow ball distributor is racing from win to win with Füchse Berlin in the Bundesliga. The best start to the season in the Berlin club’s history can also be attributed to Lichtlein. “
He has the talent to play a second in the future. He leads the game well,” said Füchse managing director Bob Hanning of the German Press Agency and sent a message to national coach Alfred Gislason afterwards: “I would take him with me to the senior national team to the European Championships in January. Because we don’t have that type of player, a left-hander.”
Leader of the young fox gang
Lichtlein is something like the leader of a young Berlin handball gang who suddenly has to take on responsibility due to injury-related absences. “The young people just take action. We have learned from last year, especially when it comes to trusting the young players,” said Hanning. The flawless start to the season confirms the Foxes’ new path. Eight games, eight wins – league leaders. The capital club is favorite in the top game against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen on Thursday (7 p.m./Dyn).
The encouragers around Lichtlein, Matthes Langhoff and Max Beneke, described by the managing director as “exciting players for later”, are once again in focus. The young stars are far from benchwarmer status. For example, when the Berliners won against the newly promoted team from Eisenach at the beginning of October, only U21 talents were on the floor shortly before the end. “Just take the World Cup momentum with you. With the same self-confidence. With the same commitment,” demanded Lichtlein.
Large reservoir of talent
The big Füchse plus: Through their cooperation with Potsdam and the second team, the Berliners have a reservoir of talent that can gradually be brought up to the professionals. The latest example is the former Potsdam regular Beneke, who is now supposed to compensate for the loss of Fabian Wiede at the Füchse.
In return, experienced players like Mathias Gidsel and Lasse Andersson help the up-and-coming players a lot with getting used to the game. “It’s the mix of boys and old that makes it. The good team atmosphere is also thanks to our experienced stars. Without this team spirit, the U21 boys wouldn’t be as good either,” said Hanning.
The sense of community among the foxes is perhaps more pronounced than ever before. The team is well-coordinated, knows each other and has fun together. While the northern rivals from Kiel and Flensburg had to accept a major roster change in the summer, the Berlin team largely stayed together. This continuity is paying off so far.
Everyone in the capital is aware that Berlin’s high flight can end at any time. Coach Jaron Siewert therefore warned against premature euphoria and warned of “different” times. “We don’t want to conjure them up, but everyone is aware that it’s a snapshot,” said Siewert at Dyn. Hanning demanded: “They’re all having fun together. So we’ll just let them play.”