live blog
The start of the 2026 European Handball Championship for the German team in Herning, Denmark: Everything about the first round game against Austria in the live blog.
January 14, 2026 • 8:10 p.m
Schluroff against his second home
Tournament debutant Miro Schluroff will be particularly motivated on Thursday evening. The Gummersbach backcourt shooter could actually have played in the opponent’s jersey. The reason: His father Lars Unger was a professional footballer who, after his time at Werder Bremen, played for SW Bregenz in Austria between 1999 and 2003. He told the media panel on Wednesday why Schluroff chose the DHB.
Jan 14, 2026 • 6:31 p.m
Semifinals as a wish, not a goal
Austria is the opening opponent, followed by Serbia (Saturday, January 17th, 8:30 p.m., live on Erste) and Spain (Monday, January 19th, 8:30 p.m., live on ZDF). A tricky preliminary group, which could be followed by an even tougher main round. The German Handball Association is still ambitious. “The desire is clear to look towards the semi-finals,” said national team manager Benjamin Chatton in the Sportschau European Championship podcast “Handball auf die 1”. “Due to the constellation, you can play handball very well over the course of the tournament, but lose three times by one goal. That’s the danger, so I don’t want to talk about a definitive goal.”
Jan 14, 2026 • 5:47 p.m
“Anti-handball” – What’s true about Wolff’s saying?
One term dominated the last day before the start of the European Championship between Germany and Austria: “anti-handball”. This is how DHB goalkeeper Andreas Wolff described the slow game of the Austrians. In neighboring Germany, this was taken as a pass, and the team is now particularly motivated before the throw-off on Thursday evening. What characterizes Spanish coach Iker Romero’s team’s playing style? And what were the reactions to Wolff’s provocation? You can read it here:
Jan 14, 2026 • 5:22 p.m
Nils Lichtlein is missing, Renars Uscins can play
There are almost no personnel concerns in the DHB team. Only Nils Lichtlein will probably miss the opening game against Austria. The Berliner is still suffering from a minor training injury to his foot and can currently only work to a reduced extent. “The prognosis is that he will no longer be out”said DHB manager Benjamin Chatton in the first episode of the Sportschau EM podcast “Handball auf die 1”. Backcourt player Renars Uscins, who was also slightly injured in the Croatia friendly, is fully fit for action again.
Jan 14, 2026 • 4:54 p.m
Short distances to Herning
How strong will the support from home be for the German team? The distance from the strongholds in the north of Germany is feasible for a day trip to the opening clash against Austria: it is 188 kilometers from Flensburg, so around two hours’ drive. Kiel is 273 kilometers away (just under three hours), and it is 358 kilometers to Hamburg – around four hours, depending on the traffic situation around the Elbe Tunnel.
Jan 14, 2026 • 4:28 p.m
Chatton: “We always play against Austria”
It was completely clear to the German handball players in advance that this European Championship tournament would also be against their neighbors from the Alpine republic. “When the draw was made I thought it was clear that we were playing against them. In the qualifying games, European Championships, World Cup – we always play against Austria. It was just a question of which other two would come along“, joked DHB manager Benjamin Chatton in the new sports show podcast “Handball auf die 1” with host Stephanie Müller-Spirra.
At the same time, he highlighted the strengths of the Austrians: “Good goalkeeper, two or three extremely good backcourt players. A team that plays patient handball.”
Jan 14, 2026 • 4:02 p.m
DHB team excited for the start of the European Championship
The German handball players impressed in the last two test matches against Croatia. Now they are looking forward to the start of the European Championship on Thursday evening against Austria (8.30 p.m., live on Erste and in the stream as well as in the live ticker at sportschau.de) – with a lot of euphoria and self-confidence, but also with respect for the opponent.