display
Cairo (dpa) - After the worst World Cup placement in the association's history, the dream of Olympic gold for the German handball players was a long way off.
"That hurts," said captain Uwe Gensheimer about twelfth place at the tournament in Egypt, which was determined after the 23:23 draw against Poland in the final main round match.
As a result, the selection of national coach Alfred Gislason was even weaker than in 2011 at the World Cup in Sweden under Gislason's pre-pre-pre-predecessor Heiner Brand.
At that time the German team finished eleventh.
“Of course it would be nice if it were different.
But I can't really blame the team.
We all knew the problems we were facing, ”said Gislason.
«The problems always remained, especially in defense.
Today some were added in the attack.
Of course we are not satisfied with the place. "
For a long time nothing went against the internationally rather second-rate Poles.
In the first round, the DHB selection did not even convert half of their throws from some of the best positions, and the defense could not convince again.
Only towards the end of the game did the European champions of 2016 improve, but it wasn't enough to win.
display
What is left of this World Cup?
Although the quarter-finals were missed early, DHB Vice President Bob Hanning had recently confirmed winning Olympic gold in Tokyo in the summer as a goal.
But first the DHB selection must secure one of two tickets for the games in their group with Sweden, Slovenia and Algeria at the qualifying tournament in Berlin in March.
“I know what Bob means.
Bob always has big goals, we all have them.
But we would all do well if we now focus on the qualification, that is our next goal, ”said captain Gensheimer.
The hopes now rest on the players who were injured in Egypt or were absent due to the corona.
The runners Hendrik Pekeler, Patrick Wiencek and Jannik Kohlbacher should then be back, and important backcourt players like Fabian Wiede or Sebastian Heymann should also be in the squad in Berlin.
“I'm looking forward to having a lot more choice of players.
I'm really looking forward to it, ”said Gislason.
"Then I think we have a great opportunity to play a lot better."
It remains to be seen whether it will ultimately be enough for Olympic gold.
Because once again the German team in Egypt failed to demonstrate clarity, cleverness and an absolute will to win in decisive phases of their games.
Top performers like Gensheimer did not find their form, goalkeeper Andreas Wolff only showed what he is capable of in the second round against the Poles.
The qualification tournament is now the ultimate acid test.
display
“Indeed, a lot depends on it.
I've always said that we then want to be ready for the generation to deliver.
And then we have to deliver too, ”said Hanning.
"Then it will show whether our generation, as I have always thought possible, really belong to the top of the world."
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210126-99-169016 / 2