Handball
Gislason on Pekeler’s resignation: “I missed it”
Hendrik Pekeler is retiring from the national team after 122 international matches. photo
© Soeren Stache/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
After the surprising resignation of national player Hendrik Pekeler, national coach Alfred Gislason admits a mistake. A short comeback for the pivot is also possible.
Handball national coach Alfred Gislason spoke of a misunderstanding in the debate about the resignation of national player Hendrik Pekeler and admitted a communication error.
“I’ve made a lot of videos lately and didn’t realize that we were saying goodbye to Pekeler. But everything was clearly agreed upon with us. This misunderstanding was entirely my fault. I missed it. Axel Kromer showed me that he had given me the mail,” said the Icelander in Brunsbüttel and laughed.
The evening before, Gislason had reacted with surprise when he was asked about the resignation of his former Kiel protégé after the friendly win against Portugal. “I don’t know anything about that,” the 55-year-old said. Pekeler was subsequently heavily criticized on social media. He is due to say goodbye in the second duel with Portugal on Saturday (6 p.m./ARD).
The 32-year-old pivot from Bundesliga club THW Kiel is still open to a short comeback to the national team. “If Golla and two other cyclists fail in preparation for the Olympics, he will help us out of old ties,” reported Gislason and thanked Pekeler for his achievements in the national team. “Of course I would be lying if I didn’t think I could still persuade him.”
Pekeler can no longer cope with the additional burden of the Bundesliga and national team. The North German had problems with his Achilles tendon for several years and had to have another operation in the summer. The Kiel player has 122 international matches. He won the European Championships with the national team in 2016 and won bronze at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the same year.