Füchse Berlin advanced in the Champions League playoffs – and Mathias Gidsel continues to dominate. The Danish star scored 12 goals against Polish side Kielce.
– I am extremely proud, says the 26-year-old to Danish TV2
Ahead of the second leg of the Round of 16, Berlin had a six-goal advantage. However, Wednesday’s match was far from decided. At halftime, the visiting team Kielce led 11–14, and the Bundesliga leaders looked shaky. That did not apply to Mathias Gidsel, though. The right back scored eight of Berlin’s first eleven goals.
– It was an extremely difficult and tough match for us. Maybe the toughest match of my career. It was a final, Gidsel told Danish TV2 Sport.
The second half turned into a rollercoaster. The Germans fought back, but with six minutes left to play, Kielce was once again ahead by four goals. However, in the final minutes, Berlin managed to seal the deal, and the match ended in a 37–37 draw. Füchse Berlin is now through to the quarterfinals, where they will face Aalborg.
– I don’t think Aalborg is happy about facing us. Now we have the chance to reach the Final4, and we have shown that we can beat any team, says Mathias Gidsel.
The other remaining German team, SC Magdeburg, also advanced to the quarterfinals. The league’s fifth-placed team crushed Romanian side Dinamo Bucuresti, leading 21–10 at halftime. The second half was a comfortable ride, and the final score was 35–29. Felix Claar scored six goals, while Albin Lagergren netted four.
The last match of the evening saw HBC Nantes defeat Wisla Plock 29–24. The French side overturned the aggregate score and will face Sporting in the quarterfinals.