In a group of four with Algeria, Croatia and Austria, Germany’s handball players are fighting for an Olympic ticket. For national coach Gislason, it’s about everything.
Germany’s handball players want to go to the Olympics. Six teams have already qualified for the summer games in France – the DHB selection still has to tremble.
The German squad around captain Johannes Golla wants to fulfill a dream in Hanover from March 14th to 17th and secure their participation in the highlight of the season. National coach Alfred Gislason is playing for his job in the qualification.
Who are the German opponents?
In a group of four, the German selection will first meet African representatives and outsiders Algeria on Thursday (5.45 p.m.). On Saturday (2.30 p.m.) there will be a new edition of the European Championship game against Croatia. In January, the DHB team clearly had to admit defeat to the Balkan state. Finally, Germany meets Austria on Sunday (2:10 p.m.) and wants more than a draw at the European Championships. Germany is the favorite in the group and must finish at least second in order to qualify for the Olympics.
Who is Gislason betting on?
The Icelander particularly trusts those players who came fourth at the home European Championships in January. The team is led by Golla and the leading players around goalkeeper Andreas Wolff and playmaker Juri Knorr. The U21 world champions around Nils Lichtlein and David Späth are also there again. Backcourt player Marian Michalczik returns to the DHB squad after injury. Gislason nominated Luca Witzke and Franz Semper from Leipzig to replace the injured Kai Häfner and Martin Hanne.
Who is already qualified?
In addition to hosts and European champions France, world champions Denmark can already plan for the season’s highlight in the summer. Argentina, Japan, Egypt and Sweden are also there. Six Olympic tickets are still available – two per qualifying tournament. Germany last missed taking part in the Olympic Games in 2012. Eight years ago in Rio de Janeiro, the DHB team won bronze.
Who broadcasts the games?
Handball fans can watch all of the German team’s Olympic qualifying games at no additional cost. Sport1 is broadcasting the opening game against Algeria, ZDF is showing the duel with Croatia and the game against Austria is on ARD. In addition, the paid streaming service Dyn shows all Olympic qualification games. “This is a strong overall package that reflects the interest in both senior national teams across all broadcasters,” said DHB CEO Mark Schober.
What else is it about?
Gislason is playing on probation. His contract will only be extended until February 2027 if the DHB team achieves Olympic qualification. Otherwise, the 64-year-old’s working paper will end this year. Finding a successor is likely to be difficult. There are hardly any comparable alternatives to Gislason. Ex-national players led by Stefan Kretzschmar recently brought the successful Magdeburg coach Bennet Wiegert into play. But for him the question of the national coach did not arise, at least “in the short term”.
Source: Stern
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