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Berlin (dpa) - Handball national coach Alfred Gislason wants the Bundesliga to be downsized because of the constant deadline pressure.
«A league with 16 clubs seems to be the ideal size.
We should aim for that in the medium term, ”said Gislason in an interview with the“ Berliner Morgenpost ”(Wednesday).
"As a coach, I have complained about the increasing stresses and strains for 20 years, but they have not decreased, on the contrary, due to additional international competitions, they have increased."
For this reason, the Bundesliga is “a blessing and a curse at the same time.
In it handball is played at the highest level, but with normally 18, now even 20 clubs due to the corona pandemic, there is hardly any time for the national team.
Everyone has to be aware of that, that's the price, ”the 61-year-old Icelander emphasized.
Other nations would have top leagues with only twelve or 14 teams and thus more leeway for the actions of the selection teams before major events.
The DHB selection plays from Friday to Sunday in Berlin against Sweden, Slovenia and Algeria for the Olympic qualification.
Despite the concession of the HBL, which had brought forward some Bundesliga games last match day, Gislason has only had his full line-up since Monday.
«I understand the needs.
Because the Bundesliga was only allowed to start in October due to Corona, there is no time to go through 38 match days until June.
The consequence is that no national coach has had less time to prepare than I, ”said the national coach.
"Before the Olympics, if we qualify, the situation will be similar."
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Squad of German handball players
Presidium of the German Handball Federation
Board of the German Handball Federation