DHB selection at the Olympic games-qualification: As an Express train on the way to Tokyo

You were in a hurry: It was a quick match in the battle for Olympic qualification, and between the ninth and 17. Minute, in those eight minutes, had pushed the German handball players, especially on the Tempo. To win the ball, it went as quick as a flash on the other side, there are many ball gains, thanks to a good position game, the defense and strong parades of Andreas Wolff – in these eight minutes threw the DHB selection of eight hits. The day before, it had made the German handball players against Sweden with a strike is blocked by a last-second exciting, but against Slovenia, they were after 17 minutes, with six goals in the lead.

The result of the game: And the advantage was greater, the German train was not time to stop. No forced entry, no Struggle, no weakness against Slovenia, which was to become the world Cup in Egypt, the ninth, Germany only in Twelfth place. It was an almost perfect game, with a slightly weaker second half, but fell into the weight. 22:12 was the pause status at the qualification tournament in Berlin, 36:27, it was at the end.

That’s enough for Tokyo? A final game against Algeria (15.45) waits on Sunday, the DHB is not qualified selection final for the Olympic summer games. But the qualification is now a win and a draw against the strongest opponents on the famous silver platter.

The man of your trust: Coach Alfred Gíslason was after the game easier, and then it was also one of his first words he chose in the ZDF: “it was A relief that we have played.” Gíslason took office a year ago, the succession of Christian Prokop, Prokop had no trust in the DHB-top of the Olympic qualification course. Gíslason came with a lot of experience in the Job, with many laurels. Still, you can issue the Icelanders not a conclusion, the Olympic qualification is not managed. But there is a development under him. At the press conference, he said: “Today, a burden has fallen from me.”

The Returnees: It was often talked about the German inner block that had been missing in Egypt, and thus also the stability, there was a discussion on the Kiel-based Duo Patrick Wiencek and Hendrik Pekeler. The Kiel Duo, but it’s actually a Trio that had been missing in the world Cup six weeks ago, was against Slovenia clear: Steffen Weinhold, the third player from the THW Kiel, showed a strong first half. He was accurate (three goals) and strong in the cover, went a long way, he took out time penalties (two in the initial phase). With its 34 years, Weinhold was the veteran, the young German in Egypt as the leader would have used.

The Fans are missing: In the 32. The Minute you heard the Announcer during the ZDF Broadcast call out: “Andi!”, he bellowed into his microphone after goalkeeper Andreas Wolff had shown a further Parade (ten in total) to its strong afternoon. Normally, almost 10,000 spectators had the hall spokesman in Berlin’s Max-Schmeling-Halle replied, you would have called “Wolff!”. But since almost exactly a year pandemic Fans are missing because of the Corona in the halls, and it will take a bit longer, until you are back.

The men on the Bank: Uwe Gensheimer, 34 years old, and Wiencek, 31, are one of the leading figures of the national team. They played in the past, actually always, but this time, in this important duel for participating in the Olympics, as they sat most of the time bundled up with a jacket on the bench.

The Relief: For Gensheimer (a total of 15 minutes), received the Marcel Schiller, 29, preference for Wiencek (without the use of minute) on delivery Johannes Golla, 23; and both showed a good game. Strong teams are characterized by the width of the squad, Gensheimer, and Wiencek are therefore very important. But Schiller and Golla are just about to acquire a firm place on the field.

In praise of the day: first received such Golla. “He did a helluva job,” said Kai Häfner over the player of the SG Flensburg-Handewitt and the German national coach added: “The Duo Pekeler and Golla was just great.” But Gíslason then said: “Wolff, the attack was outstanding, too. I’m at all proud of.”