Fuchse Berlin W vs Werder Bremen W

Füchse's 5–0 run between 24–24 and 29–25 was the match-defining sequence. Up to that point Werder's defence had held firm, but Berlin's quick ball movement and Gouveia's introduction from the backcourt stretched Bremen beyond their shape. The visitors did not score for nearly five minutes of game time, and the damage proved irreversible.

Leoni Bassiner (Füchse Berlin) — The top scorer on the night, Bassiner was relentless from the backcourt. She converted a first-half penalty, scored crucial goals in the second-half fightback, and drew defensive attention that created space for her teammates. She did miss a second-half seven-metre attempt, but her overall contribution was decisive.

Anouk Nieuwenweg (Füchse Berlin) — Instrumental in the recovery after Werder's early second-half surge. Her equaliser at 19–19 was the moment the momentum shifted back Berlin's way.

Anna Bergmann (Werder Bremen) — Bremen's most dangerous attacker throughout. She scored multiple goals in the first half and kept Werder in touch early in the second period. Werder's attacking shape depended heavily on her movement.

Mara Birk (Werder Bremen) — Reliable from the seven-metre line and added a couple of open-play finishes. Her penalty at 17–15 was the visitors' high-water mark.

Füchse's narrow 15–14 half-time lead reflected an even first period in which neither defence dominated. The second half swung sharply: Berlin scored 17 goals after the break to Bremen's 15, but the game was closer than that split suggests until the 5–0 burst. Bremen's inability to score during that five-minute window (roughly minutes 46–51) was the statistical difference — before and after that stretch, the teams traded almost blow for blow.

The Sporthalle Charlottenburg attendance of 125 was modest but vocal, creating a genuine home advantage for a cup tie that had no obvious favourite on paper.

Füchse Berlin advance to the second round (round of 16) of the DHB Pokal. For a team that has dominated this fixture historically — 14 wins in 18 meetings across all competitions since 2009 — this was the expected outcome, though the performance showed room for improvement ahead of the Bundesliga season.

Werder Bremen, who compete in the 2. Bundesliga, exit the cup but can take encouragement from pushing a higher-division opponent to the limit on their home court. Their next focus shifts to league business.

Both sides now await the draw for the next round and continue their pre-season preparation for the 2026/27 campaign.

Füchse Berlin did enough to progress but were made to work hard by a well-organised Werder side that led in the second half. The 5–0 unanswered run was the difference between a comfortable scoreline and a genuinely nervy cup exit. Berlin's superior depth and individual quality told in the decisive moments, but the margin flattered them slightly.