European Championship
Handball captain Golla on North Macedonia: “Like a final”
Since the birth of his daughter, Johannes Golla’s life has changed. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
After the furious start to the European Championship, the German handball players are going into their second group game full of confidence. However, the captain warns against too much euphoria.
“We are faced with an almost unchanged situation. If we don’t present ourselves well against North Macedonia, the brilliant opening game will have been of no use to us. So our senses are sharpened again,” said the 26-year-old in the ZDF morning magazine and added with a view to the game on Sunday (8:30 p.m.) in Berlin: “It’s like a final again.”
The 27:14 victory in the duel with Switzerland in front of a world record crowd of 53,586 fans in Düsseldorf inspired the team and showed “how big the euphoria can be,” said Golla. The pivot from Bundesliga club SG Flensburg-Handewitt made no secret of the fact that the DHB selection was also going into the game as favorites against North Macedonia. “We have to set the standard,” he demanded.
While the defense, in conjunction with the outstanding goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, was “already close to optimal” against Switzerland, the attack still needs to improve. “We missed a few chances. We have to do better in order to be able to act with the necessary security in the tight games. It is clear that sooner or later the games will be close and then little things will decide,” said Golla.
More mature through fatherhood
Since the birth of his daughter three years ago, Germany’s handball captain has felt more grown up. “These are experiences that have helped me move forward in life and the focus in my everyday life has shifted. I have progressed since then and become more experienced and mature,” said Golla and added with a laugh: “26 is not that old yet, but I feel like I am “It’s quite old.”
Golla is one of the calming spots in the German national team and an important anchor for the newcomers around Martin Hanne. “Off the field I have always been relatively calm. But on the field it is of course like this: the more competitions, the more games you have, the more confident you become. Of course I feel that in myself too,” reported the national player, who was in the Debuted in the DHB selection in March 2019.
Golla likes the fact that the German European Championship team consists of experienced and introverted players like Juri Knorr as well as young, wild ones. “You don’t want to take away this carefree attitude and emotions from young players. It’s also part of being a bit nervous. And that often helps you to grow beyond yourself,” said the Bundesliga professional from SG Flensburg -Handewitt.