Gidsel makes history by being named Player of the Year for the third successive time

Mathias Gidsel is named Player of the Year for the third successive year
Mathias Gidsel is named Player of the Year for the third successive yearCredit: ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Roeczey

Fuchse Berlin's Denmark international Mathias Gidsel has been named Player of the Year for the third successive year by IHF, the International Handball Federation.

Gidsel had an overwhelming advantage in the three voting categories (fan votes, the votes from the coaches of the teams that featured at the 2025 Men’s and Women’s World Championships and the IHF Commission of Coaching and Methods (CCM) each contributing a third to the final standings), securing the award ahead of Denmark teammate Emil Nielsen and making history by becoming the first male player to secure the award in three consecutive years.

Gidsel was the top choice for the CCM, had a 60,7% share of the fans’ votes and a 68% share of the coaches’ votes, marching towards his third title, tying Nikola Karabatić and Mikkel Hansen as the only players in history to secure three IHF Male World Player of the Year trophies.

In 2025, Gidsel won the World Championships with Denmark, won the German title with Fuchse Berlin, and led Fuchse to the Champions League titlee where they lost to Magdeburg. 

In the women's category, Norway's Henny Reistad won the award for the second successive year ahead of Brazil’s Bruna de Paula and teammate Katrine Lunde.

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