Dortmund, Germany – Germany’s men’s handball team kicked off their preparations for the 2027 World Men’s Handball Championship, hosted on home soil, with a resounding 41-38 victory over Egypt on Tuesday. The match, played in front of a sold-out crowd of 10,732 at the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund, saw the German side build on the momentum from their silver medal performance at the 2026 European Championship. The win too fuels the debate surrounding a potential contract extension for head coach Alfred Gislason.
“That was quite a goal festival,” remarked German goalkeeper David Späth after the match, acknowledging the high-scoring affair. Although pleased with the result, Gislason offered a more measured assessment. “It wasn’t a lousy game from us, but there’s a lot we can do better. Our attack was very good, but we conceded too many goals. There were too many coordination errors in defense,” he stated.
The future of the 66-year-traditional Gislason, whose current contract expires after the World Championship, is a key talking point. DHB (German Handball Federation) Sports Director Ingo Meckes indicated a decision will be made before the tournament begins. “The process will now be initiated. We will take our time and not be put under pressure. But it would be bad if we didn’t have clarity a month before the World Cup. That would be too late,” Meckes announced. Gislason has repeatedly expressed his desire to continue coaching the national team, stating he is not ready to step down after the World Championship.
Gislason, who took the helm in February 2020, has led Germany to silver medals at both the 2024 Olympic Games and the 2026 European Championship. His tenure has been marked by consistent success, and the team’s performance against Egypt demonstrated their continued progress. Juri Knorr led the German scoring with nine goals, though he acknowledged a degree of luck was involved. The team navigated the match without several key players from the European Championship squad, including Andreas Wolff and Lukas Zerbe, who were given a rest, and the injured Nils Lichtlein and ill Marko Grgic.
A Fast-Paced Affair from the Start
The match began as a high-octane, back-and-forth contest. Both teams traded goals early on, with Egypt initially taking a narrow lead. “Egypt is an absolute top opponent, who is always among the dark horses at every World Championship,” Meckes warned before the game, highlighting the challenge posed by the African champions. Though, Germany managed to establish a three-goal advantage around the 15-minute mark, largely thanks to the strong performance of goalkeeper David Späth. Späth’s numerous saves provided a solid foundation for the German attack.
Despite Späth’s heroics, Egypt remained competitive, particularly through their dangerous backcourt play. At halftime, Germany held a slim 21-18 lead. The second half saw Germany increase their intensity, extending their lead to six goals at 31-25 in the 43rd minute. Späth was then substituted, giving Lasse Ludwig, making his debut for the national team, an opportunity to showcase his skills, which he did with a notable save. While Egypt mounted a late rally, Germany ultimately secured a comfortable victory.
The win provides a positive start to Germany’s “Mission Home World Cup,” but Gislason’s assessment underscores the demand for continued improvement. The team will need to tighten their defense and refine their coordination if they hope to contend for a medal on home turf. The upcoming matches will be crucial in evaluating the team’s progress and solidifying their preparations for the championship.
This victory isn’t just about the scoreline; it’s about building confidence and momentum as Germany prepares to host the world. The energy in the Westfalenhalle was palpable, and the team clearly fed off the support of the home crowd. For fans, it’s a tantalizing glimpse of what could be to reach next year.
The German handball team’s next challenge will be [information not available in sources – future match details not provided]. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress and the latest news through the DHB’s official website [no official website provided in sources].
What did you think of Germany’s performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Related reading
