The German handball players are heading into the World Cup full of anticipation. They want to go to Rotterdam via Stuttgart and Dortmund – where the medal decisions will take place.
Full arena in Stuttgart with more than 7,000 handball fans, lots of black, red and gold flags and the national anthem: When Emily Vogel looks at the first game of the German national handball team at the upcoming World Cup, the smile never leaves her face.
“Playing in front of full ranks and that Crowd Having someone behind you is a completely different thing Vibe than in the last tournaments”says the backcourt player, who was called Bölk before she got married and is under contract with the Hungarian club Ferencváros Budapest.
With the audience behind you
Iceland is the first opponent in the preliminary round, and the Germans are already relying on the support of the audience in the Stuttgart hall. “This will strengthen us and be an important factor that we must definitely use for ourselves.”says Vogel, who is one of the most experienced in the team.
Also Nieke Kühne, Youngsters and Shooting star in the German team, relies on the Support from outside. “Germany is behind us, and we want to show that and convince us in a sporting way in order to do something sustainable for German handball.”explains the goalscorer from HSG Blomberg-Lippe.
Very confident and full of joy
The German players are self-confident and talk about a certain amount of tension before the start of the World Cup, but overall they are looking forward to the first tournament games. They want to carry this joy into the tournament early on and create a good atmosphere in handball Germany.
However, the Icelanders are not just walk-in customers in the first game. “They have developed very well in recent years. For us, this is a good opening opponent who will demand a lot from us. However, with full concentration and a good performance, we will defeat Iceland.”Antje Döll, who will lead the German team as captain, is sure.
A job that is something very special for her. “It makes me proud to lead this great team onto the field. I’ve been able to gain a lot of experience over the past few years and I want to exemplify what sets us apart as a team.”says Döll.
Preliminary round without loss points survive
In any case, the sporting objective is clear: Germany wants to survive the preliminary round undefeated and then take a lot of momentum into the main round, which, like the quarter-finals, will be played in Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle from December 2nd.
“We want to win all of the first three games and nothing will change this goal in the main round. Then the quarter-finals are the next step.”Antje Döll looks ahead. The semi-finals and final will then take place in Rotterdam, being there would be “incredibly cool and beautiful“, says Döll.
From Stuttgart via Dortmund to Rotterdam – the German handball women’s travel plans have been decided. Now you just can’t take a wrong turn.