Image: GEPA pictures
Max Hermann had already announced before the Linz handball title final against West Wien that he would end his career. Yesterday, twin brother Alex also announced his retirement from active sport. “It wasn’t a Ho-ruck action,” said the 31-year-old, in whom the decision had already matured around the turn of the year. Family reasons were the decisive factor for the long-standing Germany legionnaire, but he initially only revealed this to those closest to him. “I told the team in the dressing room after the final. They looked at me in disbelief,” says Hermann.
“That was a shock for me,” said coach Milan Vunjak, who has to cope with three resignations with the Hermann twins and goalkeeper Markus Bokesch. Alex Hermann returned to his home club from Gummersbach last summer. The former national team player was in top form in the play-offs. “Alex showed all his playing quality and character in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals where he was the team’s absolute leader,” said Vunjak.
Losing the series of finals against West Vienna (26:30 and 24:25) was painful, but Hermann is still very happy about what he has achieved. “What happened in the hall and what a final sprint we did was outstanding.” He is proud of that. It was only with the final siren that he realized “that that was it. 26 years of handball is a long time.”
In order to pass on his experience, Hermann will help out in another capacity at HC Linz. As with Brother Max, it will be decided in the near future which one that will be. Apart from that, Alex wants to advance his studies in inclusive education and sports to become a teacher and subsequently start teaching.
Source: Nachrichten
