The Chancellor congratulates, the Federal President cheers – and the Minister of State is also delighted: top German politicians have congratulated the German handball players on reaching the World Cup final.
“You have defeated the defending champions, and for decades a German women’s handball team has been in the final again, that’s great! Goodbye, greatness for Sunday!” wrote Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Instagram after the DHB team’s 29:23 (15:12) semi-final win against France on Friday evening.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on social networks: “What a game – reaching the World Cup final for our handball players. They inspire with their fighting spirit and skill against the defending champions from France. Congratulations. Now it’s time: full commitment for the final step. The whole of Germany is excited.”
Christiane Schenderlein, Minister of State for Sport and Volunteering, also joined the crowd of well-wishers. “A strong game, a great success,” Schenderlein told “SID”: “The German women showed nerves and deservedly are in the World Cup final in Rotterdam.”
Video: Handball fairy tale: DHB women storm into the final
At the final on Sunday (5.30 p.m./ARD), like Merz and Steinmeier, she will “definitely be excited and keeping her fingers crossed,” said Schenderlein. It is currently being checked whether the Minister of State can travel to Rotterdam.
The German team is aiming for its second World Cup title ever after the triumph in Oslo in 1993. National coach Markus Gaugisch’s team has already secured their first medal since World Cup bronze in 2007 with silver.