Duty fulfilled: The German handball players flew to the Norwegian capital Oslo on Sunday for the World Cup. Until the quarter -finals against Portugal (Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. – live in the first, in the stream and in the live ticker) is unusual time – the team also needs that in view of some personnel worries.
“A little fresher” is the air in Oslo, said national team manager Benjamin Chatton after his arrival. Of seven degrees Celsius on Saturday in Herning in Danish to zero degrees in the snowy Norwegian capital. A change over which the whole team was happy about.
“A move is always a sign that you either drive home or that it really starts,” said captain Johannes Golla. Chatton hit the same notch: “I think everyone was very happy that we could start this trip. The goal of flying to Oslo was achieved.”
Unusually long break
With five wins and a clear defeat against defending champion Denmark – who was also allowed to fly to Oslo on Sunday – the team of Alfred Gislason ultimately qualified for the ko round. Portugal is waiting on Wednesday before a meeting with Denmark would be possible on Friday in the semifinals. The final will take place on Sunday in the Unity Arena in Oslo (6 p.m.).
So three full days break before it goes again. “It feels unusual, because otherwise you are used to a two-day rhythm from the tournament and want to continue immediately,” said Golla: “But we appreciate that we will get the days for regeneration.”
Finally the flu was around in the team – Juri Knorr, Rune Dahmke and Lukas Stutzke had caught it. Against Tunisia, national coach Gislason was only 14 out of 16 possible players, playmaker Knorr even remained for studies in Flensburg at the weekend and did not flew to Norway with the team.
Knorr is “considerably better”
The 24-year-old is possible on Wednesday, said the DHB managers on Saturday. “We assume that we will be complete again on Wednesday,” said Chatton. Alfred Gislason also gently gave the all -clear, Knorr is “considerably better”.
Until the kick -off, the handball players use the time for intensive preparation. “So far we have only had one day between the games. You can’t train properly, just talk and show videos,” said Gislason. On Sunday there was only a walk and a dinner together on the program, Monday and Tuesday are trained once, the day before the quarter -finals in the arena.
Then Portugal is waiting, then the last and decisive phase of this World Cup begins. “It is tingling because it really starts now,” said Golla shortly before checking in at the hotel. The German handball players prefer to stay there until Monday morning – and the last night after the final, it is also welcome to be a festive short.