Arguably the most important match of the group phase of the 2026 IHF Men’s Club World Championship was the showdown between Fuchse Berlin and Veszprém HC, two champions of the competition, with the outcome virtually deciding which team would progress to the final from this group.
In the opening stages, Veszprem had the upper hand and were looking in total control, taking a 3-0 lead. Their defence worked wonders, especially thanks to goalkeeper Emil Nielsen, while Füchse could not find a grip on the match, constantly missing out on key chances.
However, after their first goal, six minutes and 34 seconds into the match, their performance started flowing, especially with right back Mathias Gidsel getting into the groove. Goalkeeper Lasse Ludwig made seven saves in the first 19 minutes of the half to also bring Füchse in a better position, and when the attack started converting their chances, the match was turned on its head.
Füchse’s Gidsel and Grondahl combined for 11 goals in the first half to build a three-goal lead, 19-16, at the break, with the German side enjoying the momentum, but slowing down by the end of the first 30 minutes.
But the start of the second half was all Veszprem. A 2-0 run, fueled by three suspensions over three minutes and 13 seconds for Füchse, managed to get Veszprém back in the match, but the Hungarian side missed the chance to tie the score after Bence Imre missed a penalty.
Veszprém levelled the score at 24-24, with 20 minutes to go, but Füchse still had plenty in their tank. By the 42nd minute, when they went up 27-24, Gidsel and Grondahl had combined for 17 goals, and the momentum had shifted once again.
With less than six minutes left, Veszprem were two goals down and their chances of another push to the final hung by a thread. However, the Hungarian side, finalists in 2025 and winners in 2024, still managed to turn the match on its head as Nedim Remili found the net with six seconds left as Veszprem took back the lead, 34-33.
Füchse could not score with their last shot, and the Hungarian side secured the win, their second in this group and one which basically ensures them safe passage to the final, where they are due to meet Barcelona yet again.