The wisdom tooth is usually stuck in the jaw quite unnoticed for years.

It is only when it grows crooked or starts to complain in some other way that you notice it and go to the dentist or oral surgeon.

Pulling wisdom teeth - there are usually worse experiences in the patient's chair.

Sport is possible again after a few days break.

Not so with Fabian Wiede.

The 28-year-old Berliner will not participate in the Handball World Cup in January because his wisdom teeth will be pulled.

In order not to fail for his club, he uses the Bundesliga break to get the apparently inevitable operation over with.

Wiede was firmly planned for the World Cup.

As a so-called difference player on half right or in the middle, national coach Alfred Gislason had counted on him.

Gislason is said to have lost his temper when the news from Berlin reached him.

Miss a World Cup because of dental appointments?

Such cancellations are "difficult to understand," he said.

He wondered who he could and couldn't rely on.

"German players do it"

So German handball had a new edition of the well-known discussion, namely: Why do German professionals end their national team careers so early, interrupt them or not take part in major tournaments - in contrast to professionals from other countries?

Gislason said he didn't know of any Scandinavian who would voluntarily forgo a major event.

They would have the same exposure to games as the Germans if they are active in the Bundesliga.

"German players do that," said Gislason.

He did not mention the name "Wiede".

It is written in the stars whether Gislason will nominate the Berliner for the next highlight, the European Championship 2024 in Germany.

Sometimes the stress was too great, then the family came first, January was used to recover from injuries, or the fear of Corona was too great - Gislason and his predecessors know that German stars cancel.

Even if every single justification is understandable, this means that since Heiner Brand's time, the nominally best national team has rarely played for the DHB.

Of course it depends on the schedule.

The actors are irresponsibly rushed through the schedule.

Unfortunately, this seems immovable in the struggle of the associations for money and attention.

If you look at the Scandinavians, but also at the French and Spaniards, something else becomes apparent: they are very happy to gather at courses at home or at tournaments abroad.

It's a return to familiar circles for all those gamblers who earn their living away from home.

The best hotels, great food, conversations in the mother tongue, families are warmly invited: feel-good packages are put together.

The DHB has learned something new.

"We can't complain," says Captain Johannes Golla regarding the travel comfort and the choice of hotels.

It all goes towards a better work-life balance.

On the other hand, and Golla also said that, handball professionals also earned their decent salary because they played constantly and remained visible in January when football paused.

For Gislason, this problem is almost impossible to solve - of course he wants to play with the best team.

He is in a quandary of continuing to hope for players like Wiede or to speak a word of power and say: only those who hold their bones for the DHB at this World Cup are eligible for the home highlight in 2024.