For Danish Olympic champion Simon Pytlick, the match in front of 6,300 spectators was special for more than one reason.
The 25-year-old backline player from Flensburg is set to join Berlin by 2027 at the latest. Shortly after the transfer was announced in early December, Fuchse managing director Bob Hanning sparked new discussions about the timing: "If we can get Pytlick in 2026, we would do it. If the player and Flensburg agree as well," said Hanning.
The first half was a fast-paced, high-scoring duel. On his birthday, Pytlick showed no signs of nerves, finishing as his team's leading goal scorer with eleven goals, but neither side was able to pull away.
In the second half, Flensburg managed to pull ahead of their opponents, led by fellow Dane and World Handball Player of the Year Mathias Gidsel. Berlin tried to mount a comeback but fell short, with Tobias Grondahl and Hakun West av Teigum each scoring eight goals.
After celebrating seven straight wins in November, Füchse have managed just one victory in their last three competitive matches.