Handball - There is something in it: Believe in an Olympic medal grows
David Spath's cheers still echoed through the Dortmunder Hall, as his teammates looked ahead to the Olympics in France. Two weeks before the opening clash against Sweden, the 35:30 against Handball European Champions France was exactly what the team around the young German goalkeeper needed.
"It's coming," urged Captain Johannes Golla, looking at the declared semi-final goal for his teammates. "Today was proof that we can keep up with good opponents and fulfill our dream if we play consistently for 60 minutes."
While the DHB women suffered a setback with a 31:36 loss against Brazil, the men sent a signal to their Olympic round-robin opponents from Sweden, Japan, Spain, Slovenia, and Croatia. The first win against the Tricolore since 2022 left even the opponent impressed. "If you beat the European champion, you can beat anyone," said France's star player Nikola Karabatic. For the three-time World Handballer, it was his last appearance on German soil. After the Olympics, he retires.
"No need to hide from anyone"
On the way to Paris, the German handball squad makes a final stop in Stuttgart this coming weekend. The men face general rehearsals against Hungary and Japan, while the women meet Hungary and Brazil. "We've taken a big step forward. We can be proud of ourselves and we're on the right track. We just need to keep it up and not hide from anyone," said goalkeeper Spaeth.
Alfred Gislason reacted less enthusiastically to the impressive result. Due to some absences on the French side, the Icelander did not overvalue the test match success - he was still satisfied, however. "How we played gives hope," assessed Gislason. Unlike many times before, Germany did not collapse against a top team but held their own. The brief weakness phase at the beginning of the second half was mainly due to strong saves by Spaeth.
Gaugisch sees no reason for concern
Much more subdued is the expectation among the women. The DHB players need to improve their performance if they want to advance from their group at their first Olympic participation since 2008. In the loss against Brazil, significant weaknesses in defense were revealed. In one-on-one situations, there was a lack of aggressiveness. The fear of injuring themselves so close to the Olympics seemed great.
"We're still in the preparation phase. We focused on offensive play in the training phases," tried to reassure Bundestrainer Markus Gaugisch. Looking towards the Olympics, he said, "No reason for concern."
- Alfred Gislason, the Icelandic coach of the DHB women's handball team, expressed satisfaction despite the team's 31:36 loss to Brazil.
- The German handball team, led by captain Johannes Golla, secured their first win against France's Tricolor Team since 2022, boosting their confidence ahead of the Olympics.
- David Spath, the young German goalkeeper, played a crucial role in the team's victory against France, making strong saves to prevent collapses.
- The men's handball team, including Spath, is preparing for the Olympic Games in France, with matches against Sweden, Japan, Spain, Slovenia, and Croatia.
- Spain and Croatia are among the opposition the German handball team will face in the Olympic round-robin matches, following their victory against the European champions, France.
- Nikola Karabatic, France's star player, commended Germany's performance, stating that if a team can beat the European champions, they can beat anyone.
- The German handball team, including players from North Rhine-Westphalia, is traveling to Stuttgart for a final stop before the Olympics, facing Hungary and Japan in test matches.
- Johannes Golla urged his teammates to maintain consistency for 60 minutes, as they looked to fulfill their dream of succeeding in the Olympic Games.
- The DHB women's handball team, despite their loss to Brazil, are determined to improve and advance from their group at their first Olympic participation since 2008.
- Markus Gaugisch, the Bundestrainer for the DHB women's team, emphasized the team's need to improve their defense, particularly in one-on-one situations, to have a chance of advancing.
- The German (historically, French) handball team has one more test game before the Olympics, facing Hungary in a match that will help assess their readiness for the upcoming competition.
- The women's handball team hopes to emulate the men's success in the Olympics, as they look to replicate the "Jubilee scream" that echoed through the stadium after the men's historic win against France.
