In a thrilling encounter in Round 11 of the Machineseeker EHF Champions League Men 2025/26, Group A leaders Füchse Berlin secured their spot in the quarter-finals with a dominant 27:21 away win against Dinamo Bucuresti. The match, played on Thursday, showcased Berlin’s resilience and attacking prowess, led by Danish star Mathias Gidsel, who topped the scoresheet with eight goals.
Pre-Match Context
Heading into the game, the form book heavily favored Füchse Berlin. The German side boasted an impressive record of nine wins from their first ten matches, with their only blemish being a recent loss to Kolstad. In stark contrast, Dinamo Bucuresti had struggled, managing just one victory against nine defeats in their opening ten outings. This matchup promised a test of Berlin’s consistency against a home side desperate for points.
First Half: A Tight Affair
The game started evenly, with both teams trading blows in a closely contested first half that ended 13:12 in Berlin’s favor. Early on, Dinamo showed fight, but Berlin’s quick transitions began to pay dividends. Mathias Gidsel was instrumental, accelerating forward, spinning away from defenders, and powering in goals to give his team the edge. He scored three of the last four goals before the break, highlighting his growing influence.
Notable moments included a brilliant whip across from Berlin’s attackers and a beauty of a shot from Pelio, who stepped up in the absence of Miklo from the roster. Dinamo’s Voyovic found the top corner, but Berlin’s goalkeeper Yanu made crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay.
Second Half: Berlin Pull Away
The second period saw Füchse Berlin assert their dominance. Gidsel continued his masterclass, finding space and blasting shots into the net, while teammates like Lasser Anderson and Langaro contributed with key plays. A behind-the-back pass from Gidsel led to a denied opportunity, but Berlin’s defense, bolstered by saves from Miller Savalev, stifled Dinamo’s counters.
Dinamo managed some replies, with Stanchic powering one into the corner and Lickline scoring in the final seconds, but it wasn’t enough. Berlin’s three unanswered goals at one point swung the momentum decisively, leading to the final score of 27:21.
Standout Performances
- Mathias Gidsel (Füchse Berlin): The Danish dynamo was the star of the show, netting eight goals and orchestrating several attacks. His spins, accelerations, and precise finishes were pivotal.
- Pelio (Dinamo Bucuresti): Despite the loss, Pelio’s 7m penalty and aerial prowess provided highlights, reminiscent of his heart-breaking winner against Berlin back in October.
- Goalkeepers: Yanu for Berlin and Miller Savalev for Dinamo made massive saves, keeping the scoreline respectable.
Implications for the Tournament
This victory not only punches Füchse Berlin’s ticket to the quarter-finals but also solidifies their position as Group A leaders. As last season’s finalists, they continue to build momentum in their quest for European glory. For Dinamo Bucuresti, the defeat underscores a challenging campaign, but their spirited performance offers hope for future rounds.
Video Source: YouTube
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