Germany’s handball players have qualified for the Olympic Games in France, thereby finally helping national coach Alfred Gíslason to extend his contract. The DHB selection prevailed in Hanover in the decisive game against Austria with 34:31 (18:15) and secured second place in their group of four behind Croatia.
In front of around 10,000 spectators, Julian Köster and Renārs Uščins were the best throwers for the German selection with eight goals each. The team was under a lot of pressure after the 30:33 defeat against the Croatians the day before. In the game against Austria, however, the athletes looked like they had changed.
After just a quarter of an hour the team took the lead with 9:7. The DHB team was able to reduce technical errors compared to the previous day, although not avoid them. After the break the intensity increased again. Eight minutes before the end of the game the lead shrank to two goals. But Germany’s handball players finished the game 34:31 and thus qualified for the Olympics.
Gíslason will stay until at least 2027
The qualification also ensures certainty when it comes to the national coach question. If it failed, Gíslason’s contract, who took over the position in February 2020, would not have been extended. However, it is now clear: the 64-year-old Icelander will continue to look after the German team until the home World Cup in 2027.
Gíslason now has around four months to turn the team into a serious medal candidate. In France there could even be a double opportunity for handball Germany. The women will also fight for their Olympic ticket in April in a group with Slovenia, Paraguay and Montenegro.
Newsletter © ZEIT ONLINE
New: Finally Monday
By registering, you acknowledge the data protection declaration.
Thank you! We have sent you an email.
Check your mailbox and confirm your newsletter subscription.
For the DHB team it is the third Olympic participation in a row. In 2016, Germany surprisingly won bronze in Rio de Janeiro. In Tokyo it was over in the quarterfinals. A German team has only become Olympic champion once. The GDR team triumphed in the legendary final against the Soviet Union in 1980.
Germany’s handball players have qualified for the Olympic Games in France, thereby finally helping national coach Alfred Gíslason to extend his contract. The DHB selection prevailed in Hanover in the decisive game against Austria with 34:31 (18:15) and secured second place in their group of four behind Croatia.
In front of around 10,000 spectators, Julian Köster and Renārs Uščins were the best throwers for the German selection with eight goals each. The team was under a lot of pressure after the 30:33 defeat against the Croatians the day before. In the game against Austria, however, the athletes looked like they had changed.
