After a win against France
Reward for the semi-finals: The DHB stars were happy about that
01/29/2026 – 9:13 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Against France, the DHB selection made it clear that they would reach the semi-finals of the European Handball Championship. They were able to look forward to a reward for this.
Nils Kögler reports from Silkeborg
Group of death survived: The German national team defied its difficult draw at the European Handball Championship and made it to the semi-finals. After victories against Portugal and Norway and a defeat against world and Olympic champion Denmark, the DHB selection held its own in the decisive duel with France. The 38:34 win meant a place in the semi-finals and the end for the defending champions.
To celebrate the day, the DHB professionals were also able to enjoy some serious food at the dinner table. “The appetite was very big. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it like that, but there were a few burgers in the hotel yesterday,” reported Julian Köster at a press conference on Thursday. “Sometimes there was also very good food. We were very happy about that,” he said, indicating that the actors don’t usually enjoy the diet that much.
The French team, who stayed in the same hotel in Silkeborg, had already publicly complained about the hotel food. “We are quite sensitive about this issue,” said French national coach Guillaume Gille. “Basically, the focus in Denmark when it comes to gastronomy is not as high as it is here,” noted Gille. “Sometimes we have the feeling that we eat the same thing every day,” he criticized, but added: “That doesn’t matter. The main thing is that we get enough calories to be able to play.”
The German player Jannik Kohlbacher confirmed the impression in an interview with t-online: “The food is okay,” he said and followed up with a small swipe at the Danish players: “You always have to measure it against the standard that is given to you. Everyone in the league has played with Danes and the Danes always say that everything is better in Denmark. Even if you go out to eat somewhere in Germany or if there is food somewhere in the hotels,” said the player from the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. But he doesn’t want to generalize about Denmark and the quality of food in the country.
