Thanks to another superb performance from Mathias Gidsel, Füchse Berlin took an enormous step towards the main round, knowing that FC Porto are the main contenders for the second spot in group A.
After performing below par at the Club World Championships, Berlin showed a different face against FC Porto. Mathias Gidsel was the key to their half-time lead scoring seven goals from eight attempts, and goalkeeper Lasse Ludwig, who stopped eight shots on his way to 14 saves overall.
After boosting their morale against Partizan, Porto played with confidence and proved a tough nut to crack, mainly thanks to João Gomes, who was not only their top goalscorer but also impressed with his assists.
The reason for Porto's failure to claim a point from the German capital was their inability to stop Gidsel, who scored no less than 17 times and extended his lead at the top of the overall scoring chart to 36 goals.
The 32-27 was his 14th goal of the night, with which he broke his personal EHF Champions League record, having previously scored 13 goals twice during the 2025/26 season.
Thursday night's win was Fuchse's second win in Champions League this season and their sixth victory against Porto in as many matches.