Fuchse Berlin vs MT Melsungen

Berlin, still smarting from a 31–38 Rexel Super Cup defeat to SC Magdeburg six days earlier, flew out of the blocks. Matthes Langhoff led the scoring with a game-high nine goals, while World Player of the Year Mathias Gidsel added seven and orchestrated the opening quarter-hour with devastating efficiency. Tim Freihöfer and captain Max Darj fed off the Dane's creativity, and newcomer Andreas Palicka — starting his first competitive home match in Berlin colours — denied Melsungen from the first whistle.

The visitors managed just nine goals in the opening 30 minutes — their lowest first-half total in any competitive fixture since December 2025. The Max-Schmeling-Halle, near-capacity and loud, sensed a statement victory.

MT Melsungen emerged for the second half transformed. Coach Roberto García Parrondo introduced Erik Balenciaga, who stabilised the visitors' defence, and the gap began to shrink. Latvian back-court shooter Dainis Kristopans found his range from distance, German captain Johannes Golla imposed himself at the line, and Aaron Mensing added penetration from the left.

The eight-goal lead became four, then two. With eight minutes remaining the score read 29–27. The home crowd, which had been celebrating, fell nervous.

Berlin held on through two men. Langhoff — who would finish with nine goals — scored his eighth and ninth to stem the tide. Gidsel produced when it mattered: a step-back from nine metres, a no-look pass to free Freihöfer, and a cool finish on the fast break. But the decisive intervention came at the other end.

With the score at 32–27 and five minutes left, Gidsel received a two-minute suspension. MT Melsungen were awarded a seven-metre throw — a chance to cut the deficit to three with a man advantage. Florian Drosten stepped up, but Palicka read him perfectly and saved. Nicolej Krickau took a timeout to settle his side, and they never looked back.

Melsungen scored four late goals — Dimitri Ignatow bagging a double — but Berlin held firm to close out 33–31.

Matthes Langhoff (Füchse Berlin) — 9 goals. The game's top scorer delivered when Berlin needed him most, scoring crucial goals in the final quarter to kill Melsungen's momentum. Player of the Match.

Mathias Gidsel (Füchse Berlin) — 7 goals, 1 suspension. Not his usual tally but his decision-making in pressure moments — the step-back, the no-look pass, the fast-break finish — broke Melsungen's spirit at critical junctures.

Andreas Palicka (Füchse Berlin) — 13 saves including a match-defining penalty stop off Florian Drosten in the 56th minute. The Swedish veteran justified his summer arrival with a performance that settled Berlin whenever Melsungen threatened.

Dainis Kristopans (MT Melsungen) — 8 goals, mostly from distance after the break. The Latvian dragged his team back into the contest during a blistering 10-minute spell.

Johannes Golla (MT Melsungen) — 4 goals and commanding defence. The Germany captain anchored the second-half revival.

Berlin won the first half 17–9 and lost the second 16–22. The split tells the story of a game that changed completely at half-time. The 33–31 final scoreline slightly overstates Melsungen's overall contribution — Berlin were superior for the first 40 minutes — but understates how close the visitors came to snatching a point. Palicka's 13 saves (a 29.5% save rate) were the statistical difference between a win and a draw.

Füchse Berlin start the season with two points and sit joint-top alongside THW Kiel, who beat TBV Lemgo Lippe 35–27 on Thursday. The Foxes face a stiffer test on 2 September away to reigning champions SC Magdeburg — an early title-race indicator.

MT Melsungen, encouraged by their second-half response, host FRISCH AUF! Göppingen on 2 September before travelling to VfL Gummersbach three days later. If they replicate their second-half form for a full 60 minutes, they will trouble every side in this league.

Berlin's first half was as dominant as anything seen at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in the past two seasons. Melsungen's second-half fightback confirmed their quality. But an eight-goal hole at the break is too deep even for European champions. Langhoff and Palicka — the goalscorer and the shot-stopper — carried Berlin through a nerve-shredding finish.