live blog
Germany’s handball players arrived in the “Mecca of handball” on Wednesday for the main round in Cologne. Thursday is the European Handball Championship against Iceland – all the news here in the live blog.
6:45 p.m
“Kölle Alaaf” as a welcome
A triple “Kölle Alaaf” resounded through the swirl of flakes at Breslauer Platz when Juri Knorr and Co. set their first foot in front of Cologne Central Station. The celebratory reception of the traditional “Rote Funken” corps put a smile on the faces of Germany’s handball players after their arrival at the completely snow-covered European Championship destination.
“This is crazy, this is Cologne. We are super happy to be here now,” said right winger Timo Kastening to the SID with shining eyes. After a short night, the anticipation of the upcoming festival in the Lanxess Arena outshone the first tournament defeat against France – especially since the medal chances are still completely intact.
6:03 p.m
DHB team in the “Mecca of handball”
On the way to a new winter fairy tale in their own country, national coach Alfred Gislason’s team is relying entirely on the Cologne factor. “This is the mecca of handball,” said right winger Timo Kastening on Wednesday with a view to the main round games in front of almost 20,000 spectators. The European Championship setback at the end of the preliminary round against Olympic champions France (30:33) was quickly forgotten.
Germany still has reaching the medal games in its own hands. Gislason’s compatriots from Iceland are waiting in the first of the four “mega games” (Kromer) on Thursday (8.30 p.m./ZDF and Dyn).
5:34 p.m
Special game for Alfred Gislason
Iceland, it is said, is the third windiest place in the world – but no one lives in the other two. A country full of natural forces, geysers, winds – and powerful handball players. Alfred Gislason was one of them before he became a coach in Germany in 1997 – and has stayed here ever since.
At the European Handball Championships in his new home Germany, of all places, he will meet as national coach with the DHB team in Iceland. “It will be a very special game for me”said Gislason after the 30:33 defeat against France in the sports show: “It’s always special against your own country.”
4:52 p.m
Iceland’s way to the main round – with a lot of effort, without points
The Icelanders only reached the main round with a lot of effort – and without any points. The last group game against Hungary, which also qualified for Cologne, was clearly lost 25:33. So Hungary took two points, the Icelanders none. In general, Snorri Steinn Gudjonsson’s team has not yet arrived in the tournament. At the start there was a lucky 27:27 draw in the last minute against Serbia, and Iceland also only won in the last minute against Montenegro with 31:30.
4:00 p.m
Welcome to the news blog about Germany – Iceland
Welcome, here you will find all the information about the German national team’s first game in the main round of the European Handball Championship. Kick-off against Iceland is on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ZDF broadcasts the game live.