Handball European Championships
Why a defeat against Germany helps Croatia
National coach Alfred Gislason wants to reach the European Championship semi-finals with his handball players. photo
© Tom Weller/dpa
At the European Handball Championships, the game is not just about the title. It’s also about the dream of the Olympics. Before the duel with Croatia, DHB sports director Kromer speaks of an “absurd constellation”.
Germany’s handball players are expecting a heated duel with hot-blooded Croatians at the end of the main round.
“We know that the Croats have a lot of national pride and are passionate about the national team,” said DHB goalkeeper Andreas Wolff before the game in the evening (8.30 p.m./ARD and Dyn). National coach Alfred Gislason also warned: “Anyone who thinks they aren’t motivated doesn’t know Croatian handball.” A defeat would not be so inconvenient for the Croats.
The fight for the European Championship title is the focus these days – but a ticket for the Olympics and some starting places for the three Olympic qualifying tournaments in the spring are also being played. As ninth in the World Cup, Croatia does not yet have a secure place in these. However, the Adria team could move up if the fourth-placed Sweden, the fifth-placed Germany or the eighth-placed Hungary get a direct ticket to Paris via the European Championships.
Croatians continue to dream of an Olympic ticket
This goes to the best team that has not yet qualified. If France and Denmark reach the European Championship final – both teams are already in Paris – third place will be enough. There is a great chance that Sweden or Germany will get this ticket and Croatia will move up to the qualifying tournament.
A defeat against the DHB selection would definitely play into Croatia’s hands. “Croatia would benefit from this,” admitted DHB sports director Axel Kromer and spoke of an “absurd constellation” that seems stupid at first. “The most important thing will be that we free ourselves from the fact that we might get something for free. That won’t happen.”
Austria could become a spoilsport for Croatia’s Olympic goal. The ÖHB selection also still has a chance of getting the Olympic direct ticket. To do this, Ales Pajovic’s team would first have to reach the semi-finals and ultimately finish ahead of Sweden.
But even then, the Croatians’ Olympic dream would not have been shattered and their eyes would turn to Africa. If Egypt, who finished seventh in the World Cup, becomes African champion again, Croatia will also move up to an Olympic qualifying tournament.
However, the German team doesn’t care about that before the final main round duel. “I don’t want to worry about this situation. We just want to concentrate on our performance,” said captain Johannes Golla. “The rest doesn’t matter.”