Handball Championship Trophy Found in Unexpected Place After Theft
The missing championship trophy of the German handball champion Füchse Berlin has been found in an unexpected location – the club’s own basement. The discovery was made during a routine inventory, bringing an end to a months-long mystery following its theft in November 2025.
The Disappearance and Initial Investigation
The trophy disappeared from the offices of the German master at Gendarmenmarkt in November 2025, ready to be engraved the following day. The club reported the theft, and surveillance camera footage revealed the perpetrators, who were suspected of having insider knowledge. RBB24 reported on the initial theft.
Initial Suspicions of Destruction
Initially, police suspected the trophy had been melted down after seizing a silver bar and a smelting furnace during searches. Füchse Berlin managing director Bob Hanning even contemplated purchasing the silver lump for display. However, this theory proved incorrect with the trophy’s recovery. RBB24 detailed these initial suspicions.
The Trophy’s Recovery
The trophy was discovered in February during an inventory check by an employee, hidden behind shelves and boxes in the office basement. The police were notified and allowed the club to go public with the news on Monday, March 23, 2026, after completing their evidence gathering.
Suspects in Custody
Police apprehended two suspects approximately two months after the theft, and they remain in custody. It is believed the perpetrators hid the trophy in the basement with the intention of retrieving it later, as they didn’t aim for to be seen carrying the large silver trophy through the streets. RBB24 reported on the arrest of the suspects.
A New Trophy No Longer Needed
The German Handball League had already promised Füchse Berlin a replacement trophy. However, with the original trophy recovered, the order for a new one has been canceled. The trophy will remain in police custody until the investigation is complete.
Broadcast: rbb|24, March 23, 2026, 2:32 p.m