The German handball players want to win a medal at the first home European Championships and advertise their sport. The anticipation of the mega event is huge among players and officials.
The handball festival weeks in Germany should not end until January 28th, if possible, with the DHB selection at the home European Championships winning a medal and giving the association important impetus for the future.
“We want to be successful in sport, promote our sport and make handball more socially relevant,” announced DHB CEO Mark Schober as the goals for the beginning of the final round. “Our dream is to reach the semi-finals. We also want to be good hosts for the participating teams and the spectators.”
After passing the endurance test with two wins against Portugal, the German team is eager to start the European Championship against Switzerland on Wednesday in Düsseldorf in front of a world record crowd of 53,000 fans. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has also announced his presence.
In view of the strong competition, national coach Alfred Gislason is demanding two points at the start. “We have to get into the tournament well and then improve from game to game. At the European Championships you might lose one game. If you lose a second time it will hardly be possible to get to the semi-finals,” said the 64-year-old Icelander .
Five European Championship newcomers in the decimated squad
Gislason is tackling the medal mission with only 17 players left after right winger Patrick Groetzki and backcourt player Marian Michalczik had to cancel their participation in the European Championship at short notice due to injury. Gislason is still looking forward to the mega event with great anticipation. “It will be a spectacle. We all want to achieve something,” said the national coach and added: “We have a very, very good team that can go far – even if the experience is not quite as there as in other nations.”
For the majority of the team, which is in transition, a tournament in front of a home crowd is new territory. Only one trio remains from the 2019 home World Cup squad: goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, backcourt player Kai Häfner and pivot Jannik Kohlbacher. With the U21 world champions David Späth, Renars Uscins, Nils Lichtlein and Justus Fischer as well as Martin Hanne, who is only 22 years old, there are five European Championship newcomers in the squad.
Nevertheless, expectations are high – both internally and in the environment. “The goal is clearly to become European champions. Anyone who competes and doesn’t want to become European champions has missed their job,” said veteran goalkeeper Wolff, as usual briskly. And director Juri Knorr, who despite being only 23 years old is already one of the most important pillars in the team, emphasized: “We may not have the superstars that other teams have and we may also lack the experience. But we have quality.” It is important to bring them to the table as a team.
Viewers are an important factor
Added to this is the home advantage. The fans should carry the DHB team through the final round and inspire them to reach for the first precious metal at a major event since Olympic bronze in Rio 2016. “It’s something big for everyone who can be there. As players, you don’t get to experience that very often. I’m sure they’ll give it their all and enjoy the atmosphere at the same time,” said Gislason.
Even before the first whistle, his protégés, each of whom will receive a bonus of 30,000 euros if they win the title, feel goosebumps at the thought of the full arenas and an audience of millions in front of the TV sets. “It’s really tingling. I’m most looking forward to the scenes. It’ll be unbelievably loud in the halls and a unique experience when you get to play in front of so many people,” said backcourt player Julian Köster, recalling the World Cup four years ago: “The roof of the hall was partially blown off because there was so much atmosphere. I hope that we can experience something like that too.”
Heavy obstacles await the German team
After the start against Switzerland, the DHB selection continues in Berlin with the further preliminary round games against North Macedonia and record world champions France. To reach the main round, at least second place in Group A is required. If they progress, Spain, Croatia, Iceland, Hungary and Serbia would be potential opponents in Cologne in the fight for a ticket to the semi-finals.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf is also keeping his fingers crossed. “I think the spectators will drive the team forward. So I have a lot of confidence in them, even though I’m not a handball expert. But I think a lot is possible,” Neuendorf told the German Press Agency.
Former DHB Vice President Bob Hanning even took the team to task. “If we as the German national team don’t aim for the semi-finals, then we are doing something wrong. That has to be our aim,” said the 55-year-old. Hanning described the European Championship squad as “good and focused on the moment”.
Now it’s about tapping into the potential. The European Championship appearances should also serve as a catalyst for recruiting new members. “The primary goal, which is why we are organizing a European Championship in Germany, is of course sporting success,” said DHB board boss Schober. “The second goal is social sustainability. We want to get more girls and boys interested in handball, especially appeal to people with a migrant background and improve the structures for the clubs.” If all of this succeeds, it would be a real handball festival week for Germany.
Source: Stern
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