The German handball players are looking forward to the World Cup start in their own country. Against co -host Netherlands, the team of national coach Markus Gaugisch wants to initiate the countdown and get a good feeling for the mission in two test games in 18 years.
“If not now, when” from the Höhner (2007). “Time that something turns” by Herbert Grönemeyer (2006). Songs combined with unforgettable German sports moments. The song should be “for women’s handball home World Cup”Hands up for more “by Bria and Lucille, this unforgettable hymn.
To do this, the DHB team also has to judge on the record and spark a wave of euphoria in the country, like the handball players at the 2007 World Cup victory and the footballers, with their third place in 2006.
Countdown on home World Cup – “tingling can already be felt”
The framework conditions seem to be promising. The tickets for the German preliminary round in the Stuttgart Porsche-Arena are completely sold out four months before the start. The “tingling” can already be felt that the tournament in Germany and the Netherlands (November 26 to December 14) will be “very special,” said captain Antje Döll at the beginning of July as part of a course. After seventh place at the European Championship 2024 and eighth place at the Olympic Games, it should finally be a little more in their own country.
The DHB has announced the semi -finals as the goal in order to finally be one of the big ones again. Germany won the last World Cup medal so far 18 years ago at the bronze gain in France. Also today’s national team manager Anja Althaus, who expected anticipation and emotions primarily in the two test games against the Netherlands: “We have to live that in every training session and in every international match in order to transfer this enthusiasm to our fans and thus further increase the desire for the home World Cup in everyone.”
Test games against the Netherlands as Location determination
The Netherlands stands in front of the German team in the world rankings and is said to be the next indicator against Iceland with regard to the World Cup start on November 26th. In the game, national coach Gaugisch sees a valuable location determination: mistakes would be punished immediately by this opponent – an experience that his team could continue. Because in the past, it was especially mistakes that the team from his goal to penetrate into the top of the world kept stopping.
In the last major event, the European Championship 2024, Group F was concerned with the group victory and important points for the main round. With 22:29, the DHB team had to give up in the Olympichalle Innsbruck at the time, despite a six-goal lead in the first section. Then the small mistakes crept into the German game again – rejected seven meters, technical errors and fluttering nerves.
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“In the second half, the Netherlands showed us why they are currently a place in front of us “said Gaugisch after the game and a year later, the team of Oranje coach Henrik is still a place in front of the DHB team. The German team wants to change that and thus also polish up the national coach’s balance sheet against the Netherlands, which is in two wins and three defeats.
With Annika Lott, an experienced back player returns to the team after surviving injury. In addition, national coach Gaugisch can fall back on all top performers for the two tests. Especially for the Dortmund block from Lisa Antl, Sarah Wachter and Alina Grijseels, the meeting with the neighbor will be a special matter. With Lois Abbingh and Alieke van Maurik there are two teammates in the opposing squad who is peppered with top international stars, such as Kelly Dulfer and Estavana Polman.
Director Annika Lott returns after injury
The 2019 world champion has not been able to build on the great success in recent years and often fought with the DHB team for the square behind the big four from Norway, France, Denmark and Sweden. So there is pressure on both sides in order to get shape for the common home tournament as possible and to further fuel the growing anticipation in the country. Because even the games of the Dutch team are almost (!) Sold out months before the start. The DHB team has already won this comparison if this is not a good omen.