A day after the draw against Austria, neither players nor coaches came to the usual press conference. DHB sports director Axel Kromer explained why.
One day after the German national handball team’s 22:22 draw against Austria, the DHB stars obviously still need some time to digest the disappointment.
Normally, on the day between two games, the DHB makes national coach Alfred Gíslason available for a press conference and three selected players for discussions. That was actually planned again on Sunday after the Austria game.
“No one really found their way into bed”
But that night the DHB announced that only sports director Axel Kromer would be available to answer questions at the media event. Players would not be there. “Reason for this: We are concentrating all available energy on winning the next two games. We ask for your understanding.”
According to Kromer, the DHB stars have had a long night. “I would like to ask for your understanding that we are offering the press conference today in a very reduced form because yesterday the follow-up for the boys was very long,” he said on Sunday. “They were in discussions and nobody could really get to bed because a lot of things didn’t go as hoped.”
After the short night there is now a long day ahead. “The boys have now been to the video analysis and are about to have the next tactical discussions and of course a lot of regeneration,” said Kromer.
However, Kromer emphatically rejected the accusation of isolation. “It is definitely not the goal to isolate anyone,” said the sports director. Even after the draw on Saturday evening, the players still signed many autographs and were always available for photos with fans in the hotel. But preparation for the game against Hungary on Monday is now above all else. “I think it will help everyone if the team can prepare as best as possible for their next opponent, because then the team will be in the tournament longer.”