Häfner nominated for Handballers test match against Japan

Olympia-Test - Häfner nominated for Handballers test match against Japan

German handball players will have to do without left-handed player Franz Semper during the Olympic-preliminary round match against Japan on Sunday in Stuttgart (17.30 hours, Porsche Arena). The left-hander of SC DHfK Leipzig is suffering from shoulder problems, which are currently being treated by doctors from the association and the club in Leipzig, according to the German Handball Federation (DHB).

Further steps regarding the Olympics in Paris will be decided at a later time, according to the DHB. Bundestrainer Alfred Gislason called up routine player Kai Häfner (35/TVB Stuttgart) for the last test match instead of Semper, who was not selected for the Olympics.

Semper had already missed the 33:29 win against Hungary on Friday. The absence was explained before the match with "private reasons". Semper had recommended himself for the Olympic squad with a convincing Bundesliga season in Leipzig.

After the opening match against Sweden on July 29, Japan is the second German group opponent at the season peak in France. The Gislason team also faces matches against Slovenia, Spain, and Croatia.

1. Despite his shoulder problems, Franz Semper, a key player from SC DHfK Leipzig, will not be part of the Handball Team's Olympic-preliminary round match against Japan, scheduled for Sunday in Stuttgart.
2. Kai Häfner, a player from TVB Stuttgart, has been called up as a replacement for Semper in the last test game, as Semper was not selected for the Olympics.
3. During the test game in Stuttgart, Japan will be the second German group opponent for the Handball Team after Sweden, at the season peak in Paris for the Olympics.
4. Franz Semper, despite missing the 33:29 win against Hungary on Friday with "private reasons", had impressed with a convincing Bundesliga season in Leipzig, potentially earning his spot in the Olympic squad.
5. Originating from Baden-Württemberg, Kai Häfner, with his experience and skills from TVB Stuttgart, will be instrumental in filling the void left by Semper in the Handball Team's last test game before the Olympics.
6. While the exact plans for the Olympics in Paris will be decided at a later time, the German Handball Federation (DHB) is already focusing on preparation, with the test game against Italy in Stuttgart on Sunday serving as the first stepping stone.

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