Mathias Gidsel and Simon Pytlick put on an attacking masterclass when Füchse Berlin defeated SG Flensburg-Handewitt 43–38 in a Bundesliga goal fest on Sunday.
In a match where defense often took a back seat, the two Danish superstars combined for 29 goals. Gidsel led the way with a sensational 18-goal performance for Berlin, while Pytlick answered with 11 goals for Flensburg in one of the highest-scoring clashes of the Bundesliga season.
The victory was an important one for Berlin beyond the entertainment value. By taking both points, Füchse mathematically secured second place in the Bundesliga standings and with it a direct ticket to next season’s EHF Champions League.
Gidsel was virtually unstoppable throughout the afternoon. Whether in transition, one-on-one situations or from distance, the world player of the year repeatedly found ways through a Flensburg defense that struggled to contain him.
At the other end, Pytlick did everything he could to keep the visitors in the game. The Danish left back produced another outstanding attacking display and was by far Flensburg’s biggest threat throughout the contest.
The matchup carried an extra layer of intrigue given that Pytlick is set to join Berlin after the 2026/27 season. Sunday’s game offered a glimpse of what Berlin supporters can look forward to when one of the Bundesliga’s most explosive attackers eventually joins forces with Gidsel.
Despite conceding 38 goals, Berlin always seemed to have another answer offensively. The home side repeatedly punished Flensburg in transition and maintained a high tempo that the visitors ultimately could not match over 60 minutes.
For Flensburg, the defeat means they finish third in the Bundesliga standings after spending large parts of the season in the battle for a Champions League place. Berlin, meanwhile, end the campaign as runners-up and can now look ahead to another season among Europe’s elite.
On a day dominated by attacking handball, however, the headlines belonged to Denmark’s two biggest stars. Gidsel scored 18. Pytlick scored 11. And Berlin came away with the points.