Handball World Cup: What are the DHB stars getting up to here?

Wait a moment! Why do Alfred Gislason and his players rub their noses with the back of their hands shortly before the game starts? This movement will be particularly familiar and suspicious to people who regularly go to techno clubs.

However, unlike some disco visitors, the national coach and the DHB stars apparently have nothing to hide. They usually gather on the sidelines for the “ritual,” passing around a mysterious object. Then the suspicious hand gesture occurs. And the jersey is also smelled.

The handball professionals explain to the “Sportschau” what this is all about. “These are sharp-smelling essential oils that wake you up a bit and clear your nose,” says DHB player Christoph Steinert. “You either swallow a drop or put it on your chest and smell it. Or on your jersey,” adds teammate Lukas Stutzke.

So it’s not all that bad. The drops are completely legal. For the professionals, they are part of game preparation. This post shows coaches and players inhaling the mint oil:

It is also known as “Japan oil” among athletes. By clearing the nose, handball players can breathe better and are therefore fresher and more productive. When inhaled, the essential oil stimulates the cold receptors in the nasal mucosa. The feeling of a stuffy nose disappears within a very short time.

The dry indoor air during handball causes problems for some players. In addition, the World and European Championships fall every year during the cold season, which promotes stuffy and irritated noses. Some professionals could use a little kick to breathe deeply and wake up.

Handball players claim that taking essential oils allows them to concentrate better during the game. This has not been scientifically proven. But as long as it helps the DHB players and they perform well on the record, no one will complain about it.

Sources: “”, “”