Germany loses its main round match against Norway on Monday evening with 26:28 and has to give up first place in the end.
In the Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland, the former German national player Lukas Podolski (37) is one of the 4,100 spectators in the stands.
Against Norway Germany’s handball battle IN VIDEO
Podolski’s mother, Krystyna Podolska (67), was once a Polish national handball player.
Podolski confirms this on TV and jokes: “You can see that in the physique. Dad was a soccer player, mom played handball. You definitely take some genes with you. My mum is strong and strong, you can see that in me a bit. I learned something different from my dad.”
Lukas Podolski (centre) in conversation with ARD presenter Stephanie Müller-Spirra (l.) and ex-DHB star Dominik Klein (r.)
Podolski stands casually at the microphone in a white T-shirt, jacket and cap.
Podolski: “I am happy. I follow handball not only because it’s here in Katowice now. I also followed this 15 to 20 years ago, of course also with my mother. Great sport, lots of action, lots of duels. The atmosphere at the games is always great, that’s why I’m a fan of this sport.”
Poldi on the ARD microphone during our game against Norway
And that Poldi has a clue when it comes to handball, he proves at his performance. National keeper Andreas Wolff (31) gets a lot of praise. “Not only that he kept the balls, but also from the guy. The way he takes his teammates with him – you don’t just need guys like that in handball. Also in football. Such types have fallen away from us in recent years. I hope that guys like that will come back to our generation, because sport needs guys like that.”
The Cologne boy Podolski, who played 130 international matches for the German national team (soccer), has been playing for the Polish first division club Gornik Zabrze since July 2021 – in the home of his parents and grandparents. His contract runs until June of this year. In 46 games for the Polish first division club, Poldi has scored 13 goals and contributed ten assists.
Podolski became a father for the third time on Friday. Daughter Ella was born. It is the first child born in Poland like Poldi (Gliwice) and Mrs. Monika. Podolski has been in a relationship with the trained beautician since 2004. In 2011, the two then said yes.