Handball EM: Germany starts without Jannik Kohlbacher

Alfred Gílson plunged after a short Christmas holiday in his children and grandchildren in Iceland in a good mood in the work with the German handballs. The preliminary failure of the injured Jannie Kohlbacher could not stop the type of action of the Federal Trainer at the prelude to the preparation for the European Championship from 13 to 30 January. I'm curious what we can put on his legs with this young team. I'm just looking forward to working with the team, Gílson said in an interview of the German press agency.

Kohlbacher is currently laboratory at an adductor injury, which is why the national coach at the New Year's Day was first welcomed only 18 players to the EM course in Großwallstadt. He is treated with his club. We are now waiting for the regeneration developed with him, said DUB sports director Axel Kramer on Sunday about the circular runner of the Rhine-Neckar Lower. A postnomination should not exist for the time being.

All corona tests negative

But there were also positive news. All corona tests before the sharp start in the EM preparation fell negative, so that Gílson could get started right on Sunday morning. We have to train and rehearse everything, can not miss anything. Defense, attack, tempo game, position game, described the 62-year-old Islander the extensive program for the coming days.

His protégés, which are nine before their tournament debut, were with fire forming. One did not realize that someone was tired of the Sylvester night. The team works great focused on the big event. Everyone is very happy to be there, Kramer reported. It will be important now that the boys get to know each other better.

We are not a candidate for a medal, so we do not talk about it either.

Alfred Gílson

Only five European champions from 2016 are located in the 19-member bid for the tournament in Hungary and Slovakia, where the DUB selection meets first on Belarus, Austria and Poland. We first focus on the preliminary round group that is very balanced. Of course, we want to reach the main round, but that will not be easy, Gílson formulated the first stage target.

In view of the personnel upheaval and some cancellations, the national coach dampens expectations. We are not a candidate for a medal, so we do not talk about it, Gílson said. The young team is currently missing a lot to the world top — especially in the back. We are certainly not the superstars right now. There are other nations ahead of us. We must try to balance the team's closed, Gílson stated.

Nevertheless, the experienced coach, who had extended his contract to the German Handball Association shortly before Christmas until after the Olympic Games 2024, much potential in the young team. I'll keep the job with a very big Élan, and I'm convinced that we are on the right track. It's unquestionably big talents, Gílson said.

The first probationary sample for the EM riders are available in the two international matches against Serbia next Friday in Mannheim and Sunday in Regular. On January 12, the DHB-wore flies to Bratislava. Gílson has long marked the date in the calendar: I'm looking forward to the tournament.