Martin Heuberger recently won the world championship for the third time with a U21 national handball team. Even days after the triumph with the German Yongsters, the coach is still very enthusiastic about the atmosphere, euphoria and encouragement around his team.
Martin Heuberger used the days after the furious World Cup party in Berlin to reflect and calm down. But it’s not quite that simple. In the Baden homeland, in Schutterwald, there was a small reception for the World Cup coach.
“A nice gesture from our home club TuS Schutterwald and the community. A great reception, attended by many fans. That was a lot of fun“, said the 59-year-old in an interview with SWR Sport.
Third world title stands for itself
Heuberger has already won three World Cup triumphs as U21 national coach for the German Handball Association. But after 2009 and 2011, this year’s event should be classified differently. “Each title in itself was wonderful with really great teams. This title was something very special due to the fact that it was a home World Cup. This euphoria, this mood in the halls, all the media interest.“
These factors gave his team an additional dynamism during the tournament. “We knew that the whole of handball Germany was rooting for us. We wanted to confirm that we are a great team and that we can show great and honest handball.“
David Späth: THE support in goal
Even if Heuberger always emphasizes and emphasizes the collective and the entire team. One particularly stood out at this home World Cup: Goalkeeper David Späth from the Rhein-Neckar-Löwen.
“Of course he was already a pound for us, which made the opponents despair.” But the 21-year-old, despite the limelight, put himself at the service of the team. Much to his coach’s delight: “I want to remember the game in the semifinals when I didn’t start with him but with Lasse Ludwig. He would certainly have liked to play too, but that wasn’t a problem. He was happy with Lasse and his performance. That worked very well in our team.“
Many players with great potential
Heuberger is absolutely convinced of the talents he has in his team. For some of his boys it is now time to take the next step in their career. Winning the World Cup should help with that.
“I hope that the Bundesliga teams will also see through this World Cup that the boys can play handball if you put their trust in them. I’m sure that many will continue to develop, because the potential is far from being exhausted for one or the other. Of course I also hope that sooner or later we will see one or the other in the senior national team.“
