The German handball players are looking forward to the world record crowd at the European Championship opener against Switzerland. The renovation of the Düsseldorf Arena was a mammoth project, but there remain residual doubts about its suitability for handball.
Juri Knorr expects a “crazy” atmosphere, Philipp Weber is “really, really keen” for “something unique” and Andreas Wolff has been having a “head cinema” for a long time. Just the thought of the world record crowd of 53,000 spectators at the European Championship opener against Switzerland electrifies the German handball players.
The atmosphere in the gigantic Düsseldorf arena should inspire national coach Alfred Gislason’s team as they start their medal hunt on Wednesday (January 10, 2024). Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has also announced his presence. “As a small child, I wouldn’t have thought it possible to play handball in front of more than 50,000 people.”said Timo Kastening before the unprecedented spectacle at the start of the home European Championship.
Mammoth logistical project
The DHB spared no expense or effort in converting the football stadium, where second division team Fortuna Düsseldorf usually plays its home games, into a handball temple. 25 kilometers of cable were laid, 9,000 extra seats were installed and huge video projectors were installed – there is a mammoth logistical project behind the targeted world record.
Thomas Koos, Sportschau, January 6th, 2024 10:06 p.m
Meanwhile, the German team is looking forward to the start of the tournament with unbridled anticipation, but also with a lot of respect. On the one hand, this is due to the strong Swiss team around Bundesliga icon Andy Schmid. On the other hand, the unusual setting. “Hopefully it’s not too cold in the hall,” said Gislason worriedly. Subzero temperatures are expected in Düsseldorf at launch time.
Roof should be closed
Nevertheless, it should be 18 to 20 degrees on the field. The roof will be closed and heaters will regulate the temperature. So much for the theory. However, the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB) will only be able to imagine how it will feel in practice during training in the arena. The fact that the procedures on match day around the opening show will be different than usual makes the whole thing even more complicated.
Thomas Koos, sports show, January 6th, 2024 9:50 p.m
“Everyone has to be mentally strong,” said Kastening. The duel with Switzerland is groundbreaking in the preliminary round group A, in which a big chunk awaits with record world champions France and North Macedonia a surprise bag in the second game. Gislason is not afraid of the special backdrop. “I don’t think Juri Knorr thinks much about whether there are 20,000 or 50,000 people,” said the Icelander.
Do games like this have a future?
Since January 2nd, there has been screwing, hammering and drilling in the Düsseldorf Arena. Up to 400 employees were involved in the construction work. “The logistical effort was enormous,” said Thomas Freyer, Head of International Events at the German Handball Federation (DHB), to the SID. “We’re putting the highlight right at the beginning. We hope that the euphoria we’re igniting here will carry us through the entire European Championship until January 28th.”
However, it is questionable whether games have a future on such a large scale. “It’s totally right and important for the opening of the European Championship. But it’s not a permanent solution,” said former DHB Vice President Bob Hanning to the editorial network Germany and added: “The pressure on the handball field will never be as great as in the Cologne Arena.”
The German team would play there from the main round. The first step towards this will take place in Düsseldorf – and more than 50,000 fans want to help.