When it comes to passionate rivalries, few can match the intensity of Borussia Dortmund versus Schalke 04—and that fire doesn't stop on the football pitch. It's now heating things up in the German national handball team camp, too.

National handball coach Alfred Gislason recently made headlines by openly declaring his support for BVB. In a special "Handball meets Football" segment, he revealed the origins of his allegiance. "Back in 1983, I played in Essen for five years. After a few months, the topic of football came up—who supports which team. Since most of my teammates were Schalke fans, I decided to back the underdog within the group. From then on, I was a Dortmund supporter. I've been a BVB fan ever since," Gislason explained with a grin.

This revelation adds a layer of drama, especially given that vice-captain Julian Köster is a well-known Schalke fan. When asked about potential locker-room teasing, Gislason joked, "Then I suppose I'll have to strip him of his office." It's all in good fun, but the rivalry is real.

This weekend, however, the injured Köster might have reason to celebrate. A win for Schalke against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday evening could secure the Royal Blues' promotion back to the Bundesliga. Whether you're team black-and-yellow or blue-and-white, it's a storyline that adds extra spice to an already electric season.