Handball Champions League: Mathias Gidsel sets a goal record

Thanks to a gala show by world handball player Mathias Gidsel, the Füchse Berlin have taken a big step towards the main round in the Champions League. The Berliners won at home against FC Porto 40:32. With 17 goals, Gidsel almost single-handedly defeated the Portuguese. »That was also important for me. I've already shown a lot of good performances, but today was something special for me," said the 27-year-old Dane.

With the 17 goals, the exceptional handball player set a 17-year-old goal record in the Champions League. The previous, sole record holder, Jesús “Chuchi” Martínez de la Cal, also scored 17 goals for Valladolid in a 37:27 win against Thessaloniki in November 2009. »He was the absolute leader today – also mentally. “He pushed us the whole game and gave us security,” praised coach Nicolej Krickau.

The team and the audience then celebrated their superstar with a standing ovation - he scored twelve fewer goals than the club's second best shooter, Aitor Ariño Bengoechea. »That's outstanding. What he is doing cannot be put into words and is perhaps unique on this planet," said national player Nils Lichtlein, who celebrated his home comeback against Porto after a long injury break.

In Group A, the German cup winners are in second place behind the Hungarian record champions KC Veszprem, with three second legs remaining. The two best teams in the group reach the main round.

Mathias Gidsel is considered the best handball player in the world, and for some even in history. Read here how the Dane took his sport to a new level by breaking away from it.