The German handball players are looking for a framework for the upcoming World Cup in January. The first test against Sweden showed that coach Alfred Gislason still has a lot of work to do.
The expectations of the DHB team before this duel against the European champions were not particularly high, especially in this opening game of the EHF Eurocup it should be about gaining self-confidence. But this plan also failed.
Germany showed a strong early phase against the Swedes (final score 33:37) with an outstanding circle player Johannes Golla (twelve goals), but then could no longer keep up against the European champions.
Long list of shortcomings for Gislason
“That was very disappointing. We gave away attacks”criticized national coach Alfred Gislason and added: “We have to blame ourselves for losing our head and our line.” The veteran coach’s list of shortcomings was longer than in almost any other game during his tenure: “The Swedes were two grades better. We learned the hard way.”
Because apart from circle runner Golla little worked. in the gate? The World Cup team Andreas Wolff and Till Klimpke held just 22 percent of all balls. The cover? full of holes The attack? Uninspired, harmless and above all: faulty. Sweden was practically invited to counterattack.
The only ray of hope against Sweden: pivot Johannes Golla.
Unsatisfactory staffing
Now this one test match should not be overestimated, the second game on Saturday against world champion Spain in Jaen, Andalusia (Saturday, October 15th, 2022, 8:15 p.m., live stream at sportschau.de) is also in the foreground, knowledge for the upcoming World Cup in Poland and Sweden ( Start: January 12) to collect. At the same time, the starting position in terms of personnel in this last test block before the World Cup is anything but satisfactory.
Half a dozen players are missing through injury. In addition to the long-term injured Sebastian Heymann, Julius Kühn and Timo Kastening, Fabian Wiede, Lukas Stutzke and Jannik Kohlbacher have had to pull out due to various injuries. Paul Drux was also unavailable as the father-to-be
Problem zone backcourt
Hopes are pinned on the Berliner Wiede in particular. Play one again “very central role”said Gislason. He would have liked to have had the backcourt player with him this time, said the 63-year-old. Wiede is one of the few that the national coach describes as a regular player, also because he has the leadership qualities that the youngsters Juri Knoor and Julian Köster are still lacking – another finding from the 60 minutes in Stuttgart. In any case, it will be Gislason’s main task to give the backcourt more power until the next big tournament.
Now the next top-class player is waiting for the German team in Spain. In any case, Alfred Gislason hopes for an increase in performance.
Four defeats in a row against Spain
As against Sweden, Germany is an outsider in this second match of the EHF Eurocup, especially since the last four games against the Spaniards have all been lost, such as at the last two European Championships in 2020 and 2022 (26:33, 23:29), as well as at the Olympic tournament ( 27:28) and the last World Cup (28:32). The last win against the Spaniards dates from the 2019 World Cup (31:30), at that time still under coach Christian Prokop.
Even if it might not be enough for a surprise again, the German team should at least get more self-confidence compared to the Sweden game.