Sport Handball-EM
Double comeback – surprising reinforcement for Germany
As of: 4:31 p.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
Should soon appear together again in the Germany jersey: Fabian Wiede (left) and Hendrik Pekeler
Source: picture alliance/Fotostand/Weller
Surprising nominations are emerging in the composition of the squad for the European Handball Championship. National coach Alfred Gislason wants to bring back two top performers who have played no role in recent years. With one condition.
The Handball Bundesliga has started the new season. But while 17 clubs are chasing defending champion THW Kiel, the home European Championship 2024 (January 10th to 28th) is already being planned behind the scenes. National coach Alfred Gíslason (63) has more problems than he would like.
At the last World Cup in Poland and Sweden, the DHB selection took fifth place after good performances. Afterwards, however, five defeats in the Euro Cup dampened the mood considerably. The concern: Is the staff strong enough?
Gíslason is now working on a double comeback and is opening the door to two stars: Hendrik Pekeler (32/Kiel) and Fabian Wiede (29/Berlin) are about to return to the national team!
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Pekeler took a break after the 2021 Olympic Games. Again canceled for private and health reasons for every tournament since 2020. The Berliner, who last played for Germany at the home World Cup in 2019, had to defend himself against heavy criticism. There was talk of listlessness and zero interest. The criticism: Wiede should have drawn a clear line instead of repeatedly canceling for flimsy reasons. But the reservations have now been cleared.
decision by the end of October
There was a discussion between Wiede (“I really want to play the European Championships at home”) and the national coach. When asked, Gíslason confirms: “We sat together in Berlin and drank a coffee. Fabi wanted to explain his view of things to me, why one or the other rejection was included. That was a very, very good conversation. The problems are out of the way.”
Health and shape as prerequisites: Hendrik Pekeler (left) and Fabian Wiede
Source: picture alliance/dpa/Jörg Carstensen
The return of the left-hander, who won the European League with Füchsen Berlin in May, is probably only a matter of form. “We opened the door for him again,” explains Gíslason. “We now have to wait and see how his performance develops at the club. He’s playing the position we’re already a little thin on (back room on the right; i.e. editor),” says Gíslason. “Fabi Wiede could become a very important player if he is healthy. But for that he has to show his performance in the club.
Wiede wants to go back, Wiede can go back – the same applies to Pekeler, who became European champion with Germany in 2016. Problem: The man from Kiel is still in rehab after a second operation on the Achilles tendon. Time of return uncertain.
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Gíslason (who also trained Pekeler at THW) would kiss the 122-time international with a kiss: “Peke said that he would like to be there again. A Pekeler in shape is one of the best in the world, like our captain Johannes Golla. Not just because he’s a great attacking player, but because he’s also an excellent defender.” And further: “Peke is in rehab, everything looks very good. But a lot depends on when he’s ready, when he’ll play for Kiel again and in what form.”
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Time is running out until the European Championships. Gíslason says clearly: “We only have one measure left, around Handball Day at the end of October or beginning of November. And if he’s not that far, then it would be very, very difficult. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that he’ll be in shape by mid-October.”
