Germany’s handball players do not have to do without captain Johannes Golla in the important second European Championship main round game against Norway. The circle runner does not have to fear any further sanctions after his red card from the game against Portugal, the European Handball Federation announced on Thursday evening.
Golla could take part in the Olympic silver medalist’s duel against Norway on Saturday (8.30 p.m./ZDF/Dyn), it was said. After the DHB selection’s 32:30 win against Portugal at the start of the main round, national coach Alfred Gíslason declared a possible ban for Golla: “It would be very bitter for us to lose him in the next game.”
Gíslason: Maximum of a two-minute penalty
In the final phase against Portugal, a foul by the German leading player on Francisco Costa was punished. According to the video images, the referees decided to send him off. From Gíslason’s point of view, Golla didn’t hit his opponent in the face, but in the chest. “If that’s a red card, then I don’t really understand it. The maximum penalty you can give is a two-minute penalty,” said the 66-year-old Icelander.
Handball icon Stefan Kretzschmar assessed the referees’ decision somewhat differently. “You can’t deny the red card,” said the Dyn expert. In the end, all fears were unfounded.
Golla himself spoke of an unfortunate situation. “I have no influence on it. All I can say is that it wasn’t intentional. I don’t hit him on the first contact, but on the second. It’s a situation that happens like that. Let’s wait and see what happens,” said the 28-year-old. Three hours later, the DHB captain could breathe a sigh of relief.
