“He was proud”
Merz drinks beer in the dressing room with German handball players
Updated February 1, 2026 – 10:12 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Friedrich Merz was excited in the stands at the European Championship final against Denmark. He then took time for the DHB team.
Nils Kögler reports from Herning
Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid the German handball players a visit to the locker room after losing the European Championship final against Denmark. Juri Knorr reported: “He was proud of what we have achieved in the last two or three weeks.” Merz said “that he has followed it and will continue to follow it in the near future,” said the national player after the 27:34 (16:18) in Herning against the world champion and Olympic champion on Sunday evening.
Knorr felt the words were a “nice recognition.” But it didn’t stop with the words. The Chancellor took additional time to drink a beer with the German selection.
Shortly after the end of the game, Merz posted on social media: “What a final, what a strong European Championship. You fought, showed strong nerves and team spirit,” he wrote on X. “I congratulate Denmark on the title and the German handball players on second place and on a convincing tournament. We are proud of you.”
Germany missed out on their third European Championship title in a highly intense final. With silver, the DHB selection won their fifth precious metal at a European Championship. In addition to the two titles in 2016 and 2004, Germany won bronze in 1998 and silver in 2002.
The European Championship silver is evidence of the upswing in German handball and should fuel even more anticipation for the home World Cup in January 2027. The DHB selection will wait exactly 20 years for a world championship title. Team manager Benjamin Chatton said: “We played an excellent tournament. I am convinced that it will be a further step in development.”
