22 days before the start of the World Cup, national coach Markus Gaugisch nominated the 17 players with whom he will go to the final training course before the home tournament. He relies on veterans and well-rehearsed youngsters.
With the squad announcement, the DHB team has taken the next step towards the home tournament. “Now we know what the framework looks like. Now we are all burning for the goal that we have in common,” said national coach Markus Gaugisch. The goal: reach the semi-finals.
“Which player can contribute in which system?” You have to build the right puzzle out of this so that the best game result comes out and every player can build on their quality,” he explained his decision.
| position | player |
|---|---|
| Goal | Katharina Filter, Sarah Wachter |
| Back center | Alina Grijseels, Mareike Thomaier, Annika Lott |
| Backcourt on the left | Xenia Smits, Emily Vogel, Nieke Kühne, Aimee von Pereira |
| Backcourt on the right | Viola Leuchter, Julia Maidhof, Nina Engel |
| Circle | Lisa Antl, Jolina Huhnstock |
| Left winger | Antje Döll, Alexia Hauf |
| Right winger | Jenny Behrend |
Filter number one in the goal
In goal, the national coach relies on Katharina Filter and Sarah Wachter, with Filter being the clear number one. She recently impressed with her performances at her club in Esbjerg and in the last international matches. The fact that she finds her way into the tournament well will be extremely important for the team’s success.
Mixture in the backcourt
Alina Grijseels, Xenia Smits and Emily Vogel (formerly Bölk) are probably the best-known names in the World Cup squad and bring a lot of experience with them. Playmaker Grijseels will lead the game in attack. Mareike Thomaier and Annika Lott will play alongside her in this position. As head of defense, Smits will set the tone on defense and, together with Emily Vogel, provide penetration in the left backfield.
One of the youngsters is 21-year-old Viola Leuchter in the left backcourt. With 37 international matches, she has been part of the national team for several years and will be an important factor in the German backcourt. With Julia Maidhof she has an experienced player at her side.
Players like 21-year-old Nieke Kühne and 22-year-old Nina Engel are still part of the young talent, but will certainly get their playing time and help relieve the workload on the top performers.
Just a right-winger
Captain Antje Döll in the left wing position is supported by Alexia Hauf. “We rely on continuity in this position, Antje Döll in particular is incredibly important for us,” said the national coach. In the right wing position, the national coach goes into the tournament with only one player: Jenny Behrend.
Appearances in Stuttgart and Dortmund
The German team will play its preliminary round in Stuttgart. She plays the main round and a possible quarter-final in Dortmund. “The experience of playing in a full Westfalenhalle will be an experience,” said BVB player Alina Grijseels, who has already experienced this at the club. If they make it to the semi-finals, the DHB women will move to Rotterdam to co-host the Netherlands.