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Handball World Cup: celebration without beer: DHB team prepares for the main round

Handball World Cup: celebration without beer: DHB team prepares for the main round

Things are getting serious for the German handball players at the World Cup. The main round is about the ticket for the quarter-finals. Confidence after the flawless preliminary round is high.

At a relaxed team evening in the city, Germany’s handball players got in the mood for the start of the main round of the World Cup.

Even the always meticulous national coach Alfred Gislason interrupted his video study of the next final opponents Argentina for the trip to the center of Katowice and spent a few social hours with his charges. “We celebrated the group victory a bit and got a meal from the presidency. It was a nice end to the preliminary round,” reported captain Johannes Golla on Wednesday.

Before the first main round duel with Argentina this Thursday (6 p.m. / ARD), Golla & Co. remained disciplined off the court despite the brilliant starting position with 4-0 points. “We play here every two days, nobody drinks a beer. We haven’t done our job yet. There’s no place for something like that,” said goalkeeper Joel Birlehm, adding: “We have such a good atmosphere in the team – we don’t need beer.”

Heading into the main round with a tailwind

With a win against the South Americans, the DHB selection wants to take the next step towards the quarterfinals. “We’re going into the main round with a tailwind and increased self-confidence. We’re the favorites against Argentina, and we consciously accept this role,” said DHB sports director Axel Kromer. After that come two tough ones with the Netherlands and Norway.

Gislason and his protégés didn’t want to deal with that just yet. The focus is initially on Argentina. “This is a very passionate team that is very agile. The players are very quick on their feet,” warned the national coach and announced: “We will take them seriously because of course we want to win the game.”

At the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the German team struggled against their rivals for a long time before the ultimately clear 33:25 victory was bagged. “This is a savvy team. Hard work awaits us,” said goalkeeper veteran Andreas Wolff.

Best atmosphere in the team

Nevertheless: after three victories in the preliminary round, the mood in the team could hardly be better. Especially since the 37:21 against Algeria in the final group game, which was watched by 4.75 million TV viewers on ZDF on Tuesday, the second row was also able to gather a lot of match practice. “Everyone has settled into the tournament and has a good feeling,” said backcourt player Kai Häfner. “We will approach the next tasks in the same way as before and then see where it goes.”

The performances so far make the fans dream of a trip to success similar to that in 2016, when the DHB team surpassed themselves at the European Championships in Poland and sensationally won the title. The team doesn’t give it a second thought (yet). “We haven’t achieved anything yet, we’re still a step or two away from the quarter-finals. That’s what we’ll be measured by,” warned playmaker Juri Knorr.

However, players’ chests have become broader. “We see that the things we set out to do work. The tasks don’t get any easier, but we know what we can do. Our next goal is now the quarter-finals,” said Golla, adding: “If we can do it, our If we can perform consistently over 60 minutes, it can be a good tournament. Then we can keep up with any opponent.”

Corona tests all negative

There was further positive news from the corona tests required by the world association IHF before the start of the second phase of the tournament, which were negative for all 16 players. “We won’t have to make any changes and can continue as before,” said sporting director Kromer.

No wonder the team and coach can hardly wait for the next World Cup against Argentina. “We are fully motivated,” reported Captain Golla. And Gislason said with a grin: “I’m really looking forward to the game.”

Source: Stern

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