Sarah Brenker arrives with a smile. It’s still early.
The doors of the Lanxess Arena in Cologne haven’t opened yet.
It’s setup time, making sure everything is in place before the crowds stream in. We’ve already been here for a while. Sunlight pours in through the windows, and the Athletes Inspire Children banner is barely visible. We adjust it, check the materials, and then…
“Hi! I passed by yesterday, there was so much going on. I thought I’d stop by today to see what you’re doing,” she says, smiling in clear, confident Spanish.
We explain the drive behind AIC. She nods in agreement—sport is much more than just physical activity. It’s a powerful tool to support children and young people in their social and educational development.
She knows what she’s talking about: she studies Sport Management in Leipzig.
“There were a lot of people here yesterday,” she adds.
And she was right. That was the rhythm throughout the three days of the Final 4.
This year, alongside our always-mesmerizing lighting setup by our colleague Isabel, we added a vertical jump test.
“How high can you jump? Do you know how high some of the best defenders get?” we asked.
Yes, yes, it takes a lot of practice.
Perseverance. That’s the key, as Siraba Dembélé told us in one of our interviews. And Diego Simonet. And Andrea Lekić. And so many others.
Übung macht den Meister. And we saw that in real time.
Many didn’t settle for just one try. No, no, no.
“Can I try again?” they asked our teammate Noemie, eyes shining.
By the third jump, some were already improving. They came in groups, challenged each other, got competitive.
And they came back the next day. Again and again. It was non-stop. There was just one pause—and it was loud.
When the Nantes fans gathered in front of our stand and started singing. What a party they brought with them! Such joy, such energy—what a brilliant crowd.
Truly, when sport is lived like that, it moves you.
The sea of purple and yellow slowly begins to fade.
And that’s when Alejandro shows up.
Curious eyes, bright smile, happy to be there.
He’s from Villa de Luanco, a small handball club in Asturias. He and his parents are loving the atmosphere… and are slightly confused by the hot weather in Cologne. As we explain AIC’s mission to them, Alejandro seizes the chance. He steps up to the jump platform. And hey—he’s pretty good!
Anne is darting from one person to another, talking to everyone, explaining what our NGO does, inviting people to take part.
At one point, she pauses: “This year’s been such a success!”
It really has. We didn’t stop.
But between jumps, players would swing by too, signing our Wall of Fame under the message: “What has sport brought you?”
For many: friendship.
For others: a way of life.
Or simply: values.
Daisuke showed up smiling, phone in hand.
He runs a business in Heidelberg, but whenever he can, he returns to Tokyo. And if there’s handball involved, he’s there.
“Do you remember me?” he asked our CEO Carlos, showing him a Facebook chat from seven years ago.
But their story went back further—back to when Carlos played for Rhein-Neckar Löwen and they crossed paths at a game. They recognized each other, caught up, shared stories. The Final 4 is also about that—reconnecting.
Something similar happened with Alberto Entrerríos.
The current coach of Limoges Hand 87 arrived with his son Adrián. And right then, a group of Ciudad Real fans showed up.
They always stop by to say hello. This time, they happened to bump into one of the legends who wore their club’s jersey.
Collective thrill. Photos, memories, emotion.
And this year, even more joy: Santiago Urdiales — once a player, now the coach — has led the CR team back to Spain’s top division, the Liga Asobal.
“Back where we belong!” they told us, proudly. We hope to see them again next year too.
Then there are the ones looking straight ahead, no hesitation.
“I’ll be playing here in five years.”
He came from Austria with a friend.
They tried the jump challenge several times—and nailed it.
They didn’t need any of the “little tricks” our teammate Niko usually shares: crouching low, small bounces before launching up.
They didn’t need it. The drive was already in them.
Jumps, lights, conversations, reunions, dreams for the future… there was something special in the air. The kind of atmosphere that lifts your spirits. Families used the trip for more than just a couple of matches—it was quality time, emotions crossing generations.
Grandparents, parents, and kids all in the stands, sharing the experience.
Friends having a blast. Couples turning it into a getaway.
Kids wide-eyed, waiting to see players they’d only seen on TV. Or even better: meeting them in person, shaking their hands, getting a signature on a ball or a shirt.
That’s what sport is too—the thrill of possibility.
Sarah Brenker came back on the last day as well.
“There’s something special here. I don’t know how to explain it. But you can feel it.”
Yes. You can.
We felt it too.
