With two new players, the German handball players go into the placement games at the World Cup in Poland and Sweden.
German national coach Alfred Gislason nominated backcourt player Lukas Stutzke from Bergisches HC to replace Paul Drux from Berlin, who was suffering from a cold. In addition, right winger Lukas Zerbe from TBV Lemgo-Lippe joined the team to relieve the right flank.
While the team flew to Stockholm for the placement games the day after the 28:35 quarter-final defeat in Gdansk against France, Drux traveled back to Berlin by train. According to the German Handball Federation (DHB), the 27-year-old had used up his energy reserves in the game against the French after he had previously paused in the last group game against Norway because of a cold.
In the placement round for fifth place, the German handball players will meet African champions Egypt this Friday (3:30 p.m. / ARD). At the end of the World Cup, either Hungary or Norway will be the opponents again on Sunday.