Semifinals
Duel against handball superpower Denmark – this is how the DHB team achieves the “Miracle of Cologne”
Goalkeeper David Späth shines at the European Handball Championships with more than just his saves. He is also a total mood cannon.
© Tom Weller / DPA
Germany will face Denmark at the European Handball Championship this Friday evening. The Danes seem overwhelming. Nevertheless, the DHB team has a real chance of making it to the final. That’s what two experts say.
The next handball thriller awaits fans this Friday evening: At the home European Championships, the German national team is fighting for a place in the final. From 8.30 p.m., national coach Alfred Gislason’s team will face the handball superiority Denmark around Füchse star Mathias Gidsel. The game will be broadcast from Cologne’s Lanxess Arena on ZDF and also by the new pay channel Dyn. Before that, from 5:45 p.m., record world champions France will play against Sweden in the second semi-final.
The DHB team goes into the duel against Denmark as clear outsiders: The Danes are reigning world champions and Olympic runners-up. In addition, the Germans have lost the last four meetings against the star ensemble from the far north, which is full of Bundesliga professionals. Their last win so far against the feared Danes dates back to 2016.
Do the German fans in Cologne make the difference?
But the mood is good – and the German fans in the arena will be cheering on their team hard. And so, despite the seemingly overwhelming opponent, the German handball players are hoping for the next winter fairy tale after the 2007 World Cup title in their own country and the gold triumphs at the 2016 European Championships in Poland and 2004 in Slovenia. “If you have a chance for a miracle anywhere, it would be in Cologne,” said left winger Rune Dahmke shortly before the game on Friday.
At least former national player Stefan Kretzschmar believes a German miracle is possible: “We definitely have a few factors in the team that can create the miracle in Cologne. That is undoubtedly an Andi Wolff in goal or a David Späth and that is a good defense “We could rely on,” the 50-year-old told the German Press Agency (dpa).
“We have nothing to lose. We are in the semi-finals, our dream has already come true. This team has achieved what we set out as a vision,” said Kretzschmar.
The European Handball Championships could become a winter fairy tale
So is a new winter fairy tale within reach? “In 2007, we were the big underdogs in the semi-final against France and beat them,” Kretzschmar recalled of the World Cup frenzy in his own country 17 years ago. The first quarter of an hour is particularly crucial against the Danes. “If our team gains self-confidence in the first 15 minutes and then the hall comes, then we don’t stand a chance.”
Bob Hanning also sees a real chance of victory for Germany’s handball players. “We have 20,000 fans behind us. We also have the playing possibilities, but our top performers have to function completely,” said the former DHB vice president of the dpa and added with regard to the probability of victory: “In ten games it might be 1, 5 times possible.”
Regarding the fact that Germany last won against Denmark in 2016, Hanning said: “At some point every series has to break.” It is important not to make yourself small before a game against the overwhelming favorites from Denmark. “Yes, it’s a huge challenge. But we also have players who have played a key role in determining the Champions League or the European League in recent years. We have the opportunity to do it. We don’t have a chance,” said the 55th -year-old firmly convinced.
And so, in the opinion of the two handball experts, the most important thing is the start of the game – and that the audience cheers on the DHB selection. The spectators are already the winners: for them, the game this Friday evening is likely to be one of the absolute highlights of the tournament.
European Championship
“Young wild people” and veterans – that is the German handball team
At the European Handball Championships in Germany, a DHB selection made up of veterans and “young wild ones” is at the start. The enthusiasm for the sport and the team is growing. An insight into the team around coach Alfred Gislason.