It was the first significant step backwards under Gíslason – and the national coach immediately faced headwinds. Critics said he let the team play too unimaginatively, statically and not very flexible. On the offensive, the outside players had been almost completely deregistered since the 2025 World Cup.
Even before the start of the European Championships, Gíslason attracted criticism. The reason: The national coach left out Tim Freihöfer from Füchse Berlin, one of the best German outside players. Instead, he called up the experienced Rune Dahmke from THW Kiel to the squad, who was there when they last won the title in 2016, but was currently seen by many observers behind Freihöfer. The decision was met with frowns in many places, especially by Füchse managing director Bob Hanning. He promptly accused Gíslason of having overridden the performance principle.
Although the national coach appeared calm and brushed off the criticism, he nevertheless increased the pressure on himself. If the tournament ends early for him and his team, such decisions, difficult draw or not, are likely to be held against him all the more and endanger his future at the DHB.
Despite a valid contract, Gíslason no longer has a job guarantee until after the 2027 home World Cup. DHB President Andreas Michelmann no longer ruled out an early separation from Gíslason in the event of another disappointment at the European Championships. “It’s clear that we would think about it if the team – which I don’t expect – absolutely doesn’t perform at the European Championships,” he told the German Press Agency. “After every men’s and women’s tournament, the national coaches report to the DHB management. Appropriate conclusions are then drawn based on these balance sheets and analyses,” continued Michelmann.
The unconditional trust that Gíslason can take the final step towards a title with the DHB selection seems to have disappeared. The national coach reacted calmly to this. He only feels the pressure “that I put on myself. I don’t feel pressure from outside,” he said in an interview with “Bild am Sonntag”. “I’m not interested in that (external pressure, editor’s note). I’ve been there for so long. And I’ve experienced a lot of downs, but many, many more ups. I’m just grateful to have my absolute passion as a job and I enjoy working with the guys.” Nevertheless, Gíslason’s low stance with reference to the hard draw should be strategic in order to have arguments for continued employment in the event of an early failure.