Final against Denmark
Ten years after the gold coup: handball players want the European Championship title
The German handball players are hoping for their third triumph at the European Championships after 2004 and 2016. Goalkeeper Wolff knows how to win a final.
Goalkeeper titan Andreas Wolff was a little annoyed by the many questions after the golden European Championship triumph in 2016. “We can happily leave what was there ten years ago. Now we have a new team with a new identity and again the chance to reward ourselves for a great tournament and make history,” said Wolff before the European Championship final against top favorite Denmark on Sunday (6 p.m. / ZDF and Dyn) in Herning. Chancellor Friedrich Merz will also be keeping his fingers crossed in the stands.
On January 31, 2016, the DHB selection sensationally won European Championship gold thanks to a 24:17 final win against Spain – with an outstanding Wolff in goal. “It was a fantastic tournament, but certainly unique in its form. That’s why we should let bygones be bygones and be happy that we once again have a team that is among the best in the world,” said the 34-year-old.
Almost a year and a half after silver at the 2024 Olympic Games, national coach Alfred Gislason’s team returns from a major tournament with a medal. The only question is: How does the precious metal shine this time? “We will leave our lives on the record and hope that it will be gold,” said Justus Fischer. And captain Johannes Golla gave the motto: “We don’t just want to be guests in the final.”
DHB team has reached the top of the world
One thing is already clear: the German team successfully fought against all odds at this tournament and took the next step in their development. “They have developed further in this tournament, have become more relaxed and have grown together as a team,” said Gislason and praised: “To reach the final of this European Championship is a sensational achievement.”
This should now be crowned with the third European Championship title after 2004 and 2016. “We will mobilize everything to give it another 60 minutes of full throttle. I think we still have enough power for the final and want to do better this time,” said backcourt ace Renars Uscins before the new edition of the Olympic final.
Remembering the Olympics hurts
Back then, there was a massive 26:39 defeat against the overpowering Danes, which still bothers Gislason today. “The game in Lille was extremely bitter for me,” admitted the national coach. He was really angry at the time, “because I had the feeling that the boys had simply given the game away after a quarter of an hour. After the game, everyone went to Paris for the closing ceremony, but I left straight away because I was so disappointed with the way we played,” said the 66-year-old Icelander.
This time everything should be different. “We will go into the final with a broad chest and I’m hoping for the best tournament performance. Our goal is to play a really good game,” announced Gislason and added: “That would do a lot for the team. No matter what it ends up being enough for.”
The hunger for success among his players has definitely increased. “I have a different feeling than in Lille. We just fell into each other’s arms and shouted: We have a medal, we have a medal. After that we maybe switched off a bit,” said playmaker Juri Knorr looking back.
The goal on Sunday is “that we go in on equal terms and don’t shy away from each other. I think we are more ready for the game. Denmark has everything to lose, we have nothing,” said the 25-year-old.
How do you stop world handball player Gidsel?
The decisive factor will be to get the strong Danish backcourt with world handball player Mathias Gidsel from German champions Füchse Berlin and Simon Pytlick from Flensburg under better control than in the 26:31 defeat in the main round. “They are directly responsible for over 50 percent of the goals. You don’t even need to try to eliminate the two of them completely,” said Wolff.
With his 42nd European Championship appearance, the 34-year-old becomes the only record player in Germany ahead of Klaus-Dieter Petersen (41). “This is of course an honor and a testament to long, hard work,” said Wolff. But a victory in the final would be much more important to him: “It takes a lot to beat the Danes. But we want to be crowned European champions.”
dpa
