Handball World Cup
“Christmas with a medal”: DHB team challenges the world champion
One victory separates the German handball players from a World Cup medal. The world champion is waiting in the semifinals. A rewritten Ballermann hit suddenly makes the national coach’s mother a team star.
Christmas spirit is spreading in the World Cup team hotel of the German handball players. In the foyer of the four-star hostel in Rotterdam, huge, festively decorated fir trees create a contemplative atmosphere. There is one gift idea at the top of the DHB team’s wish list this year: a necklace, preferably with a gold pendant. But silver or bronze would also be okay.
“I would like to go home for Christmas with a medal. We want to win at least one game and ideally the first thing we have now,” said captain Antje Döll. A win in the semi-finals on Friday (5.45 p.m./Sporteurope.TV/ARD) against world champions France and silver would be certain. A defeat and the German team would have to tremble for precious metal in the game for third place.
In the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic Games, Germany narrowly lost to the French. The Germans also left the test matches in March as losers. “We’re attacking. The team will tear itself apart. The home advantage may be gone, but the team spirit remains,” said DHB sports director Ingo Meckes before the move from Dortmund to Rotterdam and swore the players in for the biggest game of their DHB careers.
That speaks for the DHB team
For the first time since 2007, Germany’s handball players are in the World Cup semi-finals. The emotions and tears of joy after the redemption against Brazil highlighted the importance of this milestone. “The knot has burst,” said Meckes. But you’re still far from full, added Döll.
A rarely seen lightness runs through the team and gives them courage for a semi-final coup. Only in the quarter-finals against Brazil did the DHB selection, which had often failed due to their own nerves in the past, act nervously and hectically at times.
The breadth of the squad ensures that the players are still fit late in the tournament. “It doesn’t feel like we’ve had seven games yet,” reported Emily Vogel.
In addition, the defense and goalkeeper Katharina Filter harmonize. In particular, defense chief Aimée von Pereira ensures the necessary toughness in the duels and earned a lot of respect from her opponents over the course of the tournament. The fact that the 25-year-old got a break on Thursday only underlines her high importance for the DHB team. They waived it “so that she has more power tomorrow. Purely a precautionary measure, no problem,” explained national coach Markus Gaugisch.
Reaching the semi-finals should bring an upswing
The medal is the big goal, even if the victory is already a success. “For women’s handball in Germany, reaching the semi-finals is worth its weight in gold. You have achieved visibility, you now have this free TV stage. That is what women’s handball in Germany needs,” said Anna Bitter, bronze medalist in 2007, to the German Press Agency.
The former Bundesliga player is convinced that the strong performances at this World Cup are not just a snapshot. The team could shape a new era, said Bitter, with a view to the age structure. “We have so many young players like Nieke Kühne, Viola Leuchter and Aimée von Pereira. And top performers like Xenia Smits and Emily Vogel still have a few years ahead of them.”
Noble fan Marianne becomes a team star
Around 2.5 million tuned in to the quarter-finals on ZDF, and the number was likely to be even higher in the semi-finals on ARD. Gaugisch’s mother will definitely keep her fingers crossed for the team. With a party video from the dressing room, the national players brought their noble fan into focus after the quarter-final victory.
“What is Markus Gaugisch’s mother’s name? Marianne! Marianne!” sang the handball players based on the Ballermann hit “Mama Laudaaa”. When asked about her singing performance, right-winger Julia Maidhof revealed that Gaugisch’s mother always reacts quickly to Instagram stories, with hearts or party symbols. “She’s just an active follower of all of us and is always up to date and it’s cool if we can give her a little back,” said the 27-year-old.
dpa
