The Gidsel phenomenon » The best handball player in the world, superlative about Romania and Neagu: “I promise!”
Article by Cristi Preda (photo), Adrian Jitea – Published Thursday, February 19, 2026 11:03 p.m. / Updated Thursday, February 19, 2026 11:15 p.m.
Mathias Gidsel (27 years old), the best handball player on the planet, spent an hour taking pictures and signing autographs with the little fans from Romania. He also made a promise: “I will never surpass Cristina Neagu!”.
Mathias Gidsel has been named the best handball player in the world for the last three years. Like the great boxing champions, “undisputed”, with no one close to his level.
Came to Bucharest for a expected victory by Fuchse, finalist of the last edition of the Champions League, score 27-21the Dane proved that he is a phenomenon outside the court as well.
Mathias Gidsel, in Bucharest: “I promise I will never equal Cristina Neagu!”
He returned from the locker room for his usual interview with the TV rights holders. More than 100 children were waiting for him for pictures and autographs. He promised them that he would return, but first to talk to the press. He told us that he did not expect to be so appreciated, he also talked about Neagu. The result was a superlative speech about Romania:
For a Danish kid, who came to Germany to play handball, to come to Romania and feel this kind of support… it makes me feel very proud. There were many people who came to see us. I can't wait to go back and take pictures. I was surprised to see so many children calling me. I have been to Bucharest many times, I have played against Romanian teams. Romania is a special country for me, always a beautiful atmosphere for handball. It was special to feel this love.
I will probably never be as good as Cristina Neagu was. She is one of the greatest players in the history of handball, there is no room for discussion. I promise I will never match her success. I will do my best.
– Mathias Gidsel, Fuchse's understudy and the best handball player in the world
The Dane kept his promise to the children who had not budged. While hearing his name chanted, he started taking photos and signing various objects, from the phone, to a T-shirt or arm. The match had been over for an hour, Gidsel did not go to the locker room. No one goes home disappointed!
All this time, Mathias' teammates came out of the locker room and watched the scene in amazement. If they still got there, they also took pictures!
Gidsel, MVP of the handball world
Fuchse Berlin, the en-titre champion of Germany, mathematically qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. He can no longer lose the top 2 in the group.
From next year, Gidsel will have reliable helpers. Dika Mem and Simon Pytlick will come to Berlin. Specialists call it the strongest 9-meter line that has ever existed in handball.
Finally, just a sentence about Gidsel's track record. He currently holds, together with the Danish national team, all the major titles: Olympic, world and European.
