Tournament in Denmark - Belgian roots, German handball: Smits' World Cup mix
The morning after her acclaimed buzzer beater, handball player Xenia Smits took a contemplative approach. Together with her roommate Johanna Stockschläder, the backcourt player decorated the German Handball Federation's World Cup quarters for Christmas and stuck reindeer faces on the windows.
"We don't have a Christmas tree, but with fairy lights we try to feel at home and calm down," reported Smits a few hours after the World Cup opening victory. Smits had scored with the final siren against Japan to make it 31:30 and send the German bench into ecstasy. With a win against handball dwarf Iran, the DHB team can secure an early entry into the main round on Saturday (18:00). Poland await on Monday to conclude the preliminary round.
Smits dreams bilingual
It was not always clear that Smits would play for the German national team. The Bundesliga player from champions Bietigheim is actually Belgian. Born in Antwerp, the backcourt player left her home country at the age of 14 and moved to a German handball boarding school - she first had to learn the language. Six years later, Smits received her German passport and began an impressive career in the DHB team.
Over 100 international matches. One of the world's best defensive players and feared for her powerful shots from the back. With her mix of robust defensive work and tremendous offensive power, Smits also wants to cause a sensation at the World Cup. "My blood is Belgian, but as a handball player I feel German," said Smits, who even dreams bilingually.
The dream of the Olympics
One dream has so far remained unfulfilled: participation in the Olympic Games. The German women haven't taken part in the Rings Festival since 2008, but that is set to change in Paris in 2024. To secure a ticket for one of the qualifying tournaments, the DHB team must reach the quarter-finals at the World Championships.
Not an easy task, but a realistic one. Entry into the main round is considered a certainty. There, title contender Denmark would be the only team that is clearly ranked higher than the German team. The two best teams from each group of six will then qualify for the quarter-finals.
"Zack in the corner"
And if playmaker Smits continues to excel, a lot is possible anyway. For the tall defensive player, the last-second goal against Japan was "somewhat unexpected", but for national coach Markus Gaugisch it was a textbook attack. Or as the 49-year-old put it himself: "Good rotation in the body. Arm was nice and high. Zack into the corner - perfect thing".
Gaugisch should be spared a nail-biter like the one against Japan on Saturday. Instead, Iran should be a welcome opponent against whom the team can continue to rehearse and internalize their routines. The German defense must become more stable if they are to beat top-class opponents such as Denmark or France in the rest of the tournament.
Where is the consistency?
Against Japan, the coordination in defense was not right at all at times. The nimble Asians skillfully danced their way through the gaps in the German back line time and again. And the DHB offense also wobbled at times. "A game with ups and downs," said Smits, summing up the fluctuations.
A lack of consistency was already the weak point in the German squad at previous major tournaments. More than seventh place was not possible. In Scandinavia's handball strongholds, the aim now is to break into the world elite. "Our team is stronger than ever," said left-winger Antje Döll optimistically. Also thanks to players like Xenia Smits.
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Source: www.stern.de
