The respectful assessment slipped easily from Kai Häfner's lips: "Luc Steins is one of the best playmakers in the world." It's not unusual to praise the next opponent and their players to make it clear what a difficult task awaits them.
It's part of the folklore of professional sports.
With the Steins, however, Häfner didn't have to exaggerate at all.
Because the director of the Dutch national handball team has so many personal merits from his club and from the country selection that his qualities are beyond question: Steins has been voted the most valuable player in the French league twice in a row;
twice he was in the all-star team of the European Championship, 2020 and 2022.
This Saturday (8.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the handball world championship and on ZDF) it will be about stopping Steins – with a win in the second main round game of the world championship, the German national team would already be in the quarter-finals on Wednesday in Gdansk.
Steins catches the eye of anyone who doesn't know him from the very first attack he directs - because of his length of 172 centimeters.
At his club, Paris St. Germain, where he has been playing since the end of 2020, there has long been a curious size difference in the backcourt, because his teammate on the right half, Dainis Kristopans, who is now under contract with MT Melsungen, was 42 centimeters taller.
"Everything is looking at me"
Steins, 27 years old, is very agile, he makes the game fast - if possible, the Dutch avoid attacking position and come up with speed.
They lack the tall guys who can throw over the defence.
Steins tries to get the opposing defense moving with long cross movements.
He moves very close to the defence, often on the verge of stepping, and often taps where anyone else would play - and then sometimes has a clear path because it comes as a surprise.
That's why a defensive 6-0 defense against him can be a solution.
I still remember how he fooled the Germans in the first half of the European Championship game in Trondheim three years ago;
and there the Kieler Pekeler/Wiencek formed the inner block, generally world class.
It was only 15:13 at the break, only at the end did it become clear – 34:23 for Germany.
Luc Steins never shies away from responsibility, not with Paris, certainly not with the Dutch: “I always played an important role in all teams and was responsible for the attacks.
In the important phases, everyone is looking at me.”
His rise began in 2016 when he played in Europe with Limburg Lions in the EHF Cup and was spotted by a French coach.
He made his mark in France at Tremblay and Toulouse and when Nikola Karabatic was seriously injured in late 2020 and PSG were looking for a replacement, they turned to Steins.
Anyone who thought that was a size too big for him was taught a lesson.
Steins is now the linchpin of the French strong club.
He fills this role pretty naturally and without much fanfare.
With the Dutch, Steins shines through his blind understanding with half-right Kay Smits from SC Magdeburg.
The left-hander has great throwing power and high efficiency.
Again and again Steins brings him into position.
Thanks to his game intelligence and intuition, Steins also cooperates excellently with the circle and wingers.
There are often surprises from him, so that going too fast is more of a disadvantage.
Thanks to a wild card from the IHF, Steins and his Dutch team are even able to play in this World Cup.
The world association honored the rapid development of Dutch men's handball - the women have been world class for years.
So losing out in the play-offs against Portugal didn't matter (33:30, 28:35).
The German neighbors showed themselves to be full World Cup participants with clear group victories over North Macedonia and Argentina.
In the season final against Norway, Swedish coach Staffan Olsson's team led by six goals before losing strength and the Norwegians still winning (27:26).
At the latest since then, the DHB selection has been warned - that was also evident from Kai Häfner's words of praise.