In an intense game in which Füchse goalkeeper Lasse Ludwig made an outstanding 16 saves and both defences went in hard, World Player of the Year Mathias Gidsel once again finished as Berlin’s leading goalscorer with nine goals.
For Kiel, whose reportedly transfer-seeking Germany goalkeeper Andreas Wolff initially remained on the bench, Germany international Lukas Zerbe was the leading goalscorer with four goals.
"I really don’t care how many saves I make — the main thing is that we won," Ludwig told ARD. Gidsel said: "It wasn’t perfect. But our energy and desire peaked today."
Match Center: Füchse Berlin vs. THW Kiel
"Hercules task" for Füchse
Berlin made a dream start in a raucous Max-Schmeling-Halle, taking a 6-3 lead in the seventh minute after Tim Freihöfer converted a seven-metre throw. Kiel, however, fought their way into the intense contest, and went into half-time two goals ahead. Fuchse then produced a thrilling second half, while Kiel went more than eight minutes at one point without scoring.
Kiel, who are not competing in Europe this season, remain top of the table for now despite suffering their second defeat of the campaign, with 21 points. Fuchse have played two fewer matches and now sit on 16 points, keeping them in the title race.
Defending champions SC Magdeburg (20 points) and SG Flensburg-Handewitt (19 points) will meet on Sunday afternoon; both have played two fewer matches than Kiel, who are in danger of losing top spot.