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Despite major personnel problems, handball national coach Alfred Gislason is looking forward to his World Cup premiere.

“The Icelander predominates in me.

I've learned to react quickly to other circumstances and to focus on what I have, ”said Gislason in an interview about the loss of eight high performers.

“Despite everything, I'm really looking forward to this tournament and to working with the team after all the waiting time.

I would have liked other conditions, but it is what it is.

We will make the best of it. "

The DHB selection will have to do without the three Kiel Champions League winners Hendrik Pekeler, Patrick Wiencek and Steffen Weinhold in the final from January 13 to 31 in Egypt.

Finn Lemke, Fabian Wiede, Jannik Kohlbacher, Franz Semper and Tim Suton are also missing.

Defense problems

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Gislason therefore dampens expectations: “A medal cannot currently be given as a goal.

Other top nations like defending champions Denmark, European champions Spain, Croatia or Norway have much better cards than we do. "

The EM-Fifth Germany meets Uruguay, Cape Verde and Hungary in the preliminary round.

As usual, Gislason prepared meticulously for these tasks.

"I got videos of all of these teams' games this year and analyzed everything," said the 61-year-old.

Kiel won the Champions League on Tuesday, but three important THW players are missing from the World Cup

Source: dpa

In view of the loss of personnel in the entire middle block, the national coach says: “A functioning defense is the first thing we have to get.

We have to test different people in the inner block.

After that we will use the remaining days until the World Cup for a few tactical attacks.

But until we get to where I want to be with the team, it's a very long way. "

Like every national coach, he just had to make cuts in these times.

I would actually need at least two weeks for the preparation, now I only have three or four training units.

Everyone who trains a Bundesliga team knows how long it takes to get a team that works well.

I can of course build on many things.

But what I want to bring in can only be done step by step, ”says Gislason.