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Gizeh (dpa) - Before the eagerly awaited World Cup preliminary round final against Hungary, handball national coach Alfred Gislason would like to keep a very personal promise.

"I actually promised myself every day not to say a word more about Corona, but to concentrate only on handball," said the 61-year-old in the German team's team hotel in Giza.

Unfortunately this has not been possible so far.

But with a view to the trend-setting duel on Tuesday evening (8.30 p.m. / ZDF), it could possibly change.

Because after the cancellation of the second World Cup game against Cape Verde, it is now the first acid test.

The Corona problem annoys the Icelander.

“I'm actually busy with handball around the clock and I hope every day that this topic fades into the background,” he said.

His players now also want to concentrate solely on the sporting side.

Against the Hungarians, it's not just about winning the group, but also about important points for the main round.

The result takes the DHB selection as well as the two points from the Uruguay game into the second tournament phase of the World Cup in Egypt.

Backcourt player Marian Michalczik even believes that a success could lay the foundation for a new handball boom.

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"I think if we play against Hungary now and then meet very good opponents in the main round and then show good athletic performance, the boom can arise," said the 23-year-old.

The German team is not worried that Hungarian players could have been infected with corona against the corona-plagued Cape Verde.

Two African players tested positive the day after the Hungary game.

But: "As far as I know, the values ​​among the players from Cape Verde were such that they would not have been tested positive in Germany," said Gislason.

"So the probability is very, very small that they could have infected players from Hungary."

So if all goes well, Gislason could possibly keep the promise to himself in a timely manner.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210118-99-77099 / 2

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Squad of German handball players

Game schedule of the German handball players

Presidium of the German Handball Federation

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Board of the German Handball Federation

Schedule and groups Handball World Cup