Krickau had succeeded Siewert, but in the Danes' first appearance on the sidelines, the Foxes had clearly lost the first match against league rivals SC Magdeburg (32-39). In Nantes, it looked like the next setback of the young season until the break, but the team led by world handball player Mathias Gidsel improved in the second half.
To the match centre: HBC Nantes vs. Füchse Berlin
The exceptional Danish player was the game's top scorer with ten goals and played a key role in the victory against the French runners-up. The Foxes had already beaten Nantes in the semi-finals of the final tournament in Cologne in June, but Magdeburg prevented them from completing the double in the final.
"I think that was an outstanding reaction after the Magdeburg game," said Krickau. The coach was particularly pleased with the pace of the play after the break."Not everything went smoothly in defence, but we absolutely gave everything. Now we can move on."
Hanning's criticism casts a shadow over the game.
Meanwhile, criticism of Füchse managing director Bob Hanning for his uncompromising approach just a few weeks after the end of the most successful season in the club's history continues unabated. Former national team players Michael Kraus and Christian Schwarzer also reacted with incomprehension to the personnel shake-up in the capital.
"Picking a team apart like that after the start of the season is negligent," said former world champion Kraus on handball-world and criticised Hanning: "He's lost a lot of sympathy in the handball world." Schwarzer said on Sport1: "Apparently Bob Hanning is too powerful to make this decision without having to ask anyone. Someone who thinks in a normal way would never make such a decision."
Hanning had already been booed by his own fans after the game against Magdeburg, but defended himself live on ARD."All my life, I've never allowed myself to be influenced by what others think. I make decisions that are probably the right ones for the club," said Hanning.