Bratislava (dpa) – The batteries are empty, the squad is decimated and the sporting value is zero. For Germany’s corona-plagued handball players, the last European Championship game against Russia this Tuesday (6 p.m. / ZDF) will be above all a mental tour de force.
“Russia will be a challenge for everyone, but I think the team can do it,” said captain Johannes Golla.
The staff
National coach Alfred Gislason only has 14 players left after Patrick Wiencek and Simon Ernst tested positive for the corona virus. Because nothing is at stake anymore, Gislason decided not to make any further nominations. Especially since 15 German players have already tested positive during the tournament. Only a quartet remains from the original 17-man squad: in addition to Golla, the backcourt players Philipp Weber and Julian Köster as well as right winger Lukas Zerbe.
The problems
Especially in defense, the staff is scarce. As a regular inner block player, only circle runner Golla from the German runner-up SG Flensburg-Handewitt is available. The players accept the extraordinary situation and want to defy the adverse circumstances. “I’ve played in all positions except right winger – whenever there was a need. I’m ready for that,” said backcourt player Paul Drux, adding with a wink: “I know whether that’s good for the team However not.”
The outlook
Due to the personnel problems, the German team will certainly not go into the game as favorites. “The Russians have a strong defense and make few mistakes. It will be difficult,” said Gislason. It is unclear whether the 62-year-old Icelander will resort to players who were infected in Bratislava and were in quarantine for days. There is only one trio that can be considered anyway: goalkeeper Andreas Wolff and backcourt players Julius Kühn and Hendrik Wagner, who complained of breathing problems after just a few minutes of his European Championship debut against Sweden.