Germany can qualify prematurely in the two duels against Austria for the handball European Championship. Despite major injury problems, the DHB team is the clear favorite.
When DHB captain Johannes Golla from SG-Flensburg Handewitt enters the field on Thursday evening (8.30 p.m. in LIVETICKER on Sportschau.de), the game will be a special matter for him on several levels.
Not only that he could pull the early EM ticket with the German national team, but also that he meets his current club coach Ales Pajovic, who has been in a double function since January. Pajovic will resign from the Austrian handball federation after the European Championship qualification.
In the extraordinary situation, however, Golla sees no reason to concern: “I don’t know if he has a huge advantage because we have been working together for two months now. I don’t think that will be decisive. “
Problems of injury the German team
The German handball players plague great injury worries before the two games against Austria. After the back room key player Franz Semper injured seriously during the World Cup in the game against Italy and still laboratories, Renars Uscins (Hanover) in the back room is another important player for the two games against Austria.
As if the list of injuries hadn’t been long enough, national coach Gislason also announced the failures of Juri Knorr (infection) and Justus Fischer (back problems).
Gislason: “Extremely a shame”
“It’s a shame for us. Now we have to regulate everything differently and get it under control “according to Gislason. According to the failures of the top performers, the work will be extremely concentrated in Austria. “The players we have there will have to deliver a really good game.”
The personnel worries make Gislason all the more difficult to restart after the disappointing sixth place at the World Cup. For Knorr from the Rhein-Neckar Löwen, there is at least a residual hope that he will be available again during the second leg on Saturday in Hanover (4.30 p.m.).
High -class replacement
If Knorr is not fit in time, Luca Witzke (SC DHfK Leipzig) or Nils Lichtlein (Foxes Berlin) could represent him. For the back area Miro Schluroff (VfL Gummersbach) and left wing Tim Freihöfer (Füchse Berlin) are also the debutants.
The right back room is traditionally played by a left -hander – Miro Schluroff, as right -handed, represents an unusual alternative, which has recently proven itself extremely well with VfL Gummersbach in the league.
Nevertheless, DHB board member Ingo Meckes explained in a press round on Tuesday that the focus in the young talent area should again be more on the scouting of classic left-handers-a long-term strategy for the next five to ten years.
Exciting duels in the previous year
Already in the two encounters last year it became clear that Austria is no longer the opponent from the past for the German team.
At the home European Championships in Germany, Austria forced the German team to a surprising draw. The encounter with the qualification for the Olympic Games in Paris was also competitive for a long time.
For coach Gislason, the strong defensive and ÖHB keeper Constantin Möstl from TBV Lemgo Lippe must be emphasized-the German team had brought the German team to despair at last year’s home European Championship.
Germany can qualify prematurely for EM
The calculation is simple: With two wins, Germany, which leads the qualifying group 7 with four points, would solve the ticket for the final round in Denmark, Sweden and Norway (January 15 to February 1, 2026).
The first two teams of the four groups are certainly qualified for the EM 2026. The four best third -placed people from the eight qualification groups are also included in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The direct comparison decides in the event of a tie.
Pajovic wants to say goodbye
Austria, which is currently in second place with three points, will do everything possible to win the group – especially since it is also a worthy farewell for their outgoing national coach Ales Pajovic.
After moving to SG Flensburg-Handewitt, the coach wants to say goodbye to reach the finals. Germany is that “Clear favorite”said Pajovic, but “Everything is possible in handball”.