The Germans’ last preliminary round game against the Czech Republic on Sunday (January 19, 2025, 6 p.m., live on Erste and on sportschau.de) will be a very special goalkeeping duel: Andreas Wollf and Tomáš Mrkva are clubmates at THW Kiel. Your coach is the Czech Filip Jicha, who played for Lemgo for two years and eight years for Kiel in the Bundesliga between 2005 and 2015 – Sportschau met him for an interview in Herning, Denmark.
sportschau.de: “In the 19:19 win against Poland, the Czechs showed what makes them special, especially defensively – will Germany have problems on Sunday?
Filip Jicha: “In the first game we only conceded 17 goals against Switzerland, then only conceded 19 goals against the Poles – the Germans can be prepared for a world-class defense. Okay, our attack can of course be improved. But we have a young, hungry team , who is totally proud and happy to be here at all. We can really annoy any opponent.”
World-class defense okay, does Czech Republic goalkeeper Tomáš Mrkva also belong to this sphere for you?
Jicha: “Yes, absolutely, what he has shown in both games so far has been outstanding. But Tomas also knows that he has to perform here and stand his ground so that the guys in front of him can have some peace and quiet. That’s what he’s done so far – like you say – world class.”
Can also get emotional: Kiel keeper Tomáš Mrkva celebrates
Can you compare the interaction between Wollf and Mrkva in Kiel with the interaction between Wollf and David Späth here in the German national team? Do the two support each other?
Jicha: “I think so. We are very happy with our duo in Kiel. Tomas is a little more reserved, Andi of course gets a lot more attention. But if things don’t go well for him, he says: Tommy, you do it now. And then I’m really looking forward to seeing the two of them in direct comparison.”
What exactly do the Germans have to prepare for on Sunday?
Jicha: “Definitely a courageous team. I hope for a team that doesn’t lose its nerve. That defends so hard that Germany has to suffer for every goal. For many of our Czech boys it will be the game of their lives. Many of them They also want to experience the adventure of handball in Germany, and that’s why they’ll give another ten or twenty percent more than usual. The Poles also went beyond their limit for a long time against the Germans, and the Czechs will do the same.”
What weaknesses do you see in the German team?
Jicha: “So the Czech Republic and Germany are two different classes. But from a German point of view, you can’t always expect to go out and shoot and shoot everything away, I sometimes lack patience. For us Czechs it would be a huge success if we “We have to stay close, maybe keep it at 11:11 or 12:12 at half-time. We have to avoid losing the ball easily and not let them go away, but honestly: Germany will definitely win in the end.”
What happens then for the Czechs with their two points in Group A?
Jicha: “So far we have one point more than Poland and one more than Switzerland. So if there is a winner in a direct duel between the two, we will definitely be in the main round – which would be incredible.”
Will you be watching many more games at this World Cup in which your players from Kiel are taking part?
Jicha: “I’ll be watching a lot of games, as a handball fan, but also with a scouting eye for my club. I know the Kiel boys, so I’ll be more likely to watch other games in Croatia and Norway.”
What do you think the Germans can do at this World Cup?
Jicha: “Interesting question, difficult to answer. Because of the three host countries, these are practically different tournaments for me, only in the semi-finals do their paths cross. Nobody currently wants to play against Denmark because they decide for themselves whether they win the games or not . The semi-finals should be possible for Germany after the Olympic silver medal.”