DHB goalkeeper Späth suddenly "a factor for the home European Championship"
The cheers of national team newcomer David Späth could be heard in every corner, even in the sold-out Munich Olympic Hall with over 10,000 people.
The handball goalkeeper celebrated his brilliant performance in the victory over Egypt by far the loudest. In a dramatic final phase, the U21 world champion became the match winner. And national coach Alfred Gislason now faces a tricky decision: Who will keep goal for Germany at the home European Championships in January - veteran Andreas Wolff or his young challenger?
Späth was mainly supposed to get a taste of the big boys during the last week of training. The Rhein-Neckar Löwen goalkeeper arrived as number 3 behind the recovered Wolff and handball veteran Silvio Heinevetter and returned home as at least number 2. After his successful international debut in the first clash with the African champions, Späth was allowed to start between the posts two days later - and impressed once again.
"The boy is a huge talent"
"The boy is a huge talent and someone who can create an atmosphere," said Gislason, praising the 21-year-old, who became the team's back-up after the DHB team collapsed in the final phase. "Being substituted in crunch time makes me proud. I wanted to repay this trust with a performance. I'm glad that I managed to do that quite well," said Späth.
After just two international matches, the impulsive goalkeeper is more than just a replacement for top dog Wolff. The young star has developed into a serious competitor - and has clearly overshadowed the experienced Heinevetter. "He sold himself very well overall," said Gislason and immediately added: "But we also know what we have in Andi.
In the end, that wasn't much. The 32-year-old world-class goalkeeper suffered a slipped disc in the summer and only made his brief comeback in the first Egypt game. "He is pain-free. He says himself that he lacks the speed he usually has. But that will come in the next two months," reported Gislason, who left Wolff on the bench on Sunday.
European Championship nominations before Christmas
The home European Championship will take place from January 10 to 28, 2024. If Wolff is 100 percent fit, he will be the number 1 goalkeeper. At least that was the plan until now. Then came Späth. "He made some important saves. When you see how he performed at the U21 World Cup, that can be a factor for the European Championships," said team-mate Lukas Mertens. Playmaker Juri Knorr attested to Späth's "enormous presence, strong physicality and the necessary instinct".
The competition for places in the European Championship squad is perhaps fiercest between the posts. "The European Championship is the goal. You can always dream. I know that there is still a long way to go," said Späth about his hopes of being nominated. Gislason wants to announce his squad, which should comprise around 18 players, shortly before Christmas.
Until then, Späth is still acting as a cautious apprentice to Wolff and Heinevetter. "I want to follow the same path as them, so I'm learning as much as I can," said the newcomer to the DHB team. He also got new input from Wolff on Sunday. The 2016 European champion talked, Späth listened spellbound. But the roles could soon be reversed.
The men's national handball team's new sensation, David Späth, has shown impressive form during the home European Championship preparations, earning praise from coach Alfred Gislason and teammates. With his excellent performances, Späth has solidified his position as a serious competitor for the starting goalkeeper spot at the upcoming EM, challenging veteran Andreas Wolff.
Despite his prominent role in the team, Späth remains humble and eager to learn from veterans Andreas Wolff and Silvio Heinevetter, acknowledging that the European Championship is his ultimate goal. The German handball team's coaching staff is expected to announce the nominations for the EM squad shortly before Christmas.
Source: www.dpa.com
