Füchse Berlin reach DHB-Pokal final after tense semifinal win over TBV Lemgo

Füchse Berlin booked their second DHB-Pokal final appearance in club history with a hard-fought 39-36 semifinal victory over TBV Lemgo Lippe at the Final4 in Cologne’s Lanxess-Arena on Saturday. The German champions, who entered the match as favorites, survived a second-half scare to advance and will face either SC Magdeburg or Bergischer HC in Sunday’s title decider.

Before a crowd of 19,750 in the sold-out arena, Füchse Berlin built an early five-goal lead after a slow start but saw it evaporate in the second half as Lemgo mounted a furious comeback. Goalkeeper Dejan Milosavljev emerged as the hero with crucial saves in the closing minutes, preserving a three-point advantage that proved enough to secure the win.

Lasse Andersson led all scorers with 11 goals for Berlin, while Tim Suton was Lemgo’s top marksman with eight. The victory marks Füchse Berlin’s second DHB-Pokal final appearance, having previously reached the showpiece in 2015 when they lost to THW Kiel.

Berlin struggle early before finding rhythm

The match began poorly for the defending Bundesliga champions, who trailed 5-7 after just eleven minutes as Nils Lichtlein twice saw his shots saved by Lemgo goalkeeper Constantin Möstl. TBV Lemgo, playing with discipline and minimal errors, forced Berlin into rushed decisions early on.

However, Füchse Berlin responded with a 3-0 run to level the score, sparking a shift in momentum. Milosavljev began asserting himself in goal, recording ten saves in the first half alone. His performances allowed Berlin to absorb two missed seven-meter throws by Tim Freihöfer without losing ground.

By the 22-minute mark, Füchse Berlin had opened their first four-goal lead at 15-11. Andersson continued to discover the net consistently, and Berlin entered halftime with a comfortable 20-16 advantage.

Second-half surge and late collapse tested Berlin’s resolve

The second half began with Füchse Berlin extending their lead to five goals at 23-18, appearing to assert control. But a series of unforced errors — including turnovers and poor shot selection — allowed TBV Lemgo to claw back into the game.

After 46 minutes, the deficit had shrunk to just one goal at 26-27 in favor of Lemgo. The visitors, energized by their comeback, had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead but failed to capitalize, missing several clear chances in the final minutes.

Milosavljev stepped up when it mattered most, making key stops on Suton and others to deny Lemgo the equalizer. Berlin managed to regroup offensively in the final stretch, adding enough goals to hold on for a 39-36 win.

Andersson’s consistency fuels Berlin’s attack

Lasse Andersson’s eleven-goal performance was instrumental in keeping Füchse Berlin ahead during critical stretches. The Danish international, known for his reliability from the backcourt, converted several key opportunities, including fast-break goals and penalty shots.

His performance underscores why Andersson remains one of the most trusted scorers in the Bundesliga. Despite Berlin’s second-half lapses, his ability to produce under pressure kept the team within striking distance when it mattered most.

Milosavljev’s goalkeeping proves decisive

While Andersson led the scoring, Dejan Milosavljev’s goalkeeping was the difference-maker. The Serbian veteran, who joined Füchse Berlin in 2022, delivered a performance worthy of a Final4 semifinal, finishing with a save rate that frustrated Lemgo’s shooters in the closing stages.

His ten first-half stops set the tone, but it was his second-half resilience — particularly after Berlin’s lead vanished — that stabilized the team. Milosavljev has now become a cornerstone of Füchse Berlin’s defense, combining reflexes with leadership in high-pressure moments.

Final4 setting adds to occasion

Hosting the DHB-Pokal Final4 at the Lanxess-Arena in Cologne has become a staple of German handball’s calendar. The venue, home to Kölner Haie ice hockey and regularly used for major indoor events, provided a vibrant atmosphere for the semifinal clash.

With nearly 20,000 fans in attendance — a strong turnout for a handball event in Germany — the energy contributed to the intensity of the match. The Final4 format, which condenses the semifinals and final into a single weekend, continues to grow in popularity across European handball.

Path to the final set

Füchse Berlin will now await the outcome of the other semifinal between SC Magdeburg and Bergischer HC to learn their opponent for Sunday’s final. Magdeburg, the reigning EHF Champions League holders, enter as favorites against Bergischer HC, who have surprised many with their run to the Final4.

Regardless of the opponent, Füchse Berlin will aim to claim their first DHB-Pokal trophy since 2015. The club, which also competes regularly in European competitions, views the domestic cup as a key objective alongside their Bundesliga title defense.

What’s next for Füchse Berlin

The DHB-Pokal final is scheduled for Sunday at 15:30 CET (14:30 UTC) in the Lanxess-Arena. Füchse Berlin will gaze to capitalize on their semifinal experience, particularly their ability to weather late-game pressure, as they pursue the cup.

Fans can follow the match live via DHB’s official streaming partners or attend in person, with tickets still available through the league’s website. For updates, the Füchse Berlin official site and social media channels will provide real-time coverage.

As the team prepares for Sunday’s showdown, the focus will remain on minimizing errors and trusting the core group that delivered in Cologne. If they can replicate their first-half form while avoiding the second-half lapses, Füchse Berlin will give themselves a strong chance to lift the trophy.

What do you reckon Füchse Berlin needs to do to win the DHB-Pokal final? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this article with fellow handball fans.