Gut one month before the start of the World Cup in Egypt, handball national coach Alfred Gislason is worried about personnel. After the corona-related cancellation of runner Patrick Wiencek and the torn cruciate ligament of back area player Franz Semper, the 61-year-old will have to do without Tim Suton at the tournament from January 13th to 31st. The middle man from TBV Lemgo also suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in his left knee in the away game at SC Magdeburg last Sunday, which means that he is not available for the rest of the Bundesliga season. “This is more than bitter, especially for Tim, but also for us,” said TBV managing director Jörg Zereike on Tuesday.
This is bitter news for the national team too. The 24-year-old Suton was recently not part of the regular cast in the back of the DHB selection. However, his serious injury underlines the problems of an extremely tight season due to the corona pandemic. In mid-November, national coach Gislason announced his provisional, 35-player World Cup squad. Due to the voluntary waiver by Wiencek (THW Kiel) and the cruciate ligament ruptures by Semper (SG Flensburg-Handewitt) and Suton, the number has already been reduced to 32 players. More players may be added in the next few weeks.
However, DHB President Andreas Michelmann no longer expects many voluntary cancellations. “I am currently assuming a high level of approval for participation in the World Cup in Egypt. That makes me confident, “said the head of the German Handball Federation (DHB) on Tuesday the” Mannheimer Morgen “. According to dpa information, however, four other professionals in Gislason’s preliminary squad are unsure whether they want to take part in the controversial World Cup. The 31-year-old Wiencek from THW Kiel had previously excluded participation in the World Cup for personal reasons.
“I respect the decision. As I understand it, Patrick made this decision, especially with a view to his family and a long absence in January, ”said Michelmann. National coach Gislason also showed understanding for the father’s decision. “Patrick informed me early on, and I respect and understand him,” Gislason told the “Kieler Nachrichten” (Tuesday). “I hope that Patrick’s cancellation will remain and not other players cancel.”
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