They have the best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga first half of the season, the most accurate shooter, a strong left winger and the outstanding playmaker of the past ten years. No, we are not talking about the German national handball team here. But from the one in Switzerland. There is unease in the German camp about her as an opponent. Georgia or Greece could have come from draw pot four when putting together this European Championship – then the German Handball Association (DHB) would have been more relaxed about the first game this Wednesday (8.45 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the European Handball Championship, on ZDF and on Dyn ) watched in the Düsseldorf football stadium.
But as it is, a strong selection awaits national coach Alfred Gislason’s seven, led by 40-year-old Andy Schmid, five-time Bundesliga player of the season. A final to start with: if the Germans catch the wave they were hoping for, their progress against North Macedonia and France could push them into the main round – with a chance of a strong finish. If something goes wrong in the world record game in front of 53,000 people, the dream of the semi-finals could quickly end despite home advantage.
This has to do with the mode of the European Championship, which almost only offers good to strong opponents in the handball core continent of Europe. Unlike the World Cup. Anyone who goes into the main round without points and loses another game is out. But that also has to do with the German peculiarity that it’s not the best who make the selection, but rather those who can and want to – i.e. who are neither injured nor missing for other reasons.
Coach Gislason was forced to rebuild
The best German defense plays at THW Kiel, 34-year-old Patrick Wiencek and 32-year-old Hendrik Pekeler. Both have retired from the national team. There was just a communication accident surrounding Pekeler’s salami farewell, which the association, national coach and players caused together – and which fueled doubts about the team’s performance when it is constantly about whether the strongest inside blocker will come back. As I said, a peculiarity: It is unimaginable that the 36-year-old Domagoj Duvnjak would forego playing for Croatia. Or Joan Cañellas, who is a year older, no longer plays for Spain. Denmark without Mikkel Hansen? No.
Due to the resignations of the established players after the 2021 Olympic Games, Gislason was forced to rebuild. He mined and cut the diamonds Juri Knorr and Julian Köster. Together with captain Johannes Golla and goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, they encourage this harmonious team to gain wings and defeat nominally stronger teams. There were bright spots in the preparation. Sebastian Heymann could contribute so-called easy goals from the backcourt, the four U-21 world champions are fun on and off the field. The 2023 World Cup showed that there is a perceived B grade: Gislason’s team came fifth with respectable handball, leaving satisfied fans despite missing the semi-finals.
Christian Kamp and Frank Heike Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2 Frank Heike, Kiel Published/Updated: Recommendations: 5 Stefanie Sippel Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3 Frank Heike, Flensburg Published/Updated: Recommendations: 7
Gislason has often been asked whether this tournament is coming too early for his team and whether the home World Cup in 2027 will not be the highlight of the rejuvenated squad. He answered in the affirmative, but of course also spoke about the necessary results in the here and now – last but not least, his stay at the DHB depends on this European Championship. And also from the start against strong Switzerland.
