Now the hot phase for the German team begins at the Handball World Championship. Another win against Argentina should set the stage for the knockout stage. There is also a top opponent waiting.
Now the German handball players finally believe in a successful World Cup.
With the first main round game on Thursday against Argentina, the hot phase of the tournament in Poland and Sweden begins for the DHB selection. In any case, the easy 37:21 victory at the end of the preliminary round against Algeria hardly plays a role in the German team hotel in Katowice. “I think that Argentina will of course already be much stronger than Algeria,” said national coach Alfred Gislason. “Now we just have to improve every game – and then a lot can happen.”
The starting position, at least, could hardly be better. After three wins in three games, the DHB selection starts the next phase of the tournament with the perfect score. Other opponents besides the Argentines are the Netherlands and World Cup favorites Norway. The two best teams of the main round reach the quarterfinals, which is the clear goal of the German team.
“Now tough opponents are waiting for us, where we have to focus fully,” said playmaker Luca Witzke. “But I think there is a lot of potential in the team and that it can go far.” Witzke was one of many substitute players who Gislason gave playing time against the Algerians. And not only the Icelander liked the fact that there was still no drop in performance with the DHB selection.
“The second suit fits better and better, Alfred can now switch in peace,” said pivot Jannik Kohlbacher, who was an outstanding player against the North Africans given his ten goals. “I think everyone is in the tournament now.” And the German team wants to stay in this tournament for a long time to come. “We’re still riding the wave,” said backcourt player Christoph Steinert. In the best possible case, this wave will carry the DHB selection to the final on January 29th in Stockholm.
German World Cup schedule
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
