European Handball Championship in Germany

EM groups at a glance

Croatia's best player to victory Against Spain: “It was a perfect match”

Saturday, January 13, 11:26 a.m.: It was the first big surprise of this European Handball Championship. “It was a perfect match for us from the first to the last minute,” said Croatia's best player Domagoj Duvnjak after the 39:29 (18:14) victory against Spain at the beginning of Group B.

“Everything went well,” said the former THW Kiel world handball player. There are “days like that in sport,” the 35-year-old explained. But he has been “playing a game like this” for a long time. Duvnjak announced that he wanted to “enjoy” the success for a moment and then set his sights on the second preliminary round match against Austria on Sunday.

Thousands Croatian The fans turned the Mannheim Arena into a cauldron on Friday and noisily pushed their team forward. The two-time Olympic champion and 2003 world champion played at times as if he were frantic, and the Spanish were against the wall.

After disappointing performances in the last two major tournaments, many experts did not consider the Croatians to be among the favorites this time. This could change now. Victory is important for self-confidence, explained veteran Duvnjak. But it was only the first game.

Spanish coach Jordi Ribera spoke of a “sad day” for his team and had problems especially with their defensive performance. The Iberian goalkeepers were not a factor either. The Spaniards have been in the final of every European Championship since 2016 and won the title twice. Now they have to shake it off and get to the main round. They will face Romania on Sunday.

Handball-Captain Golla on the match against North Macedonia: “Like a final”

Friday, January 12, 3:11 p.m.: Captain Johannes Golla called for maximum vigilance and concentration ahead of the Euro Cup second preliminary round match against North Macedonia. “We are facing an almost unchanged situation. If we don't perform well against North Macedonia, the brilliant opening match will have been of no use to us. “Therefore, the senses are heightened again,” the 26-year-old said on Friday. in ZDF-Morgenmagazin and added with a view to Sunday's match (8:30 p.m.) in Berlin: “It's like a final again.”

The 27:14 victory in the duel against Switzerland in front of a world record 53,586 fans last Wednesday in Düsseldorf inspired the team and showed “how great the euphoria can be,” Golla said. The circular corridor Bundesliga teams SG Flensburg-Handewitt made no secret of the fact that the DHB team also arrived as favorites for the match against North Macedonia. “We have to set the tone,” he demanded.

While the defense, along with outstanding goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, against Switzerland was already “close to optimal,” the attack still needs improvement. “We missed some opportunities. We have to do better to be able to act with the necessary confidence in close matches. It is clear that sooner or later the games will be close and then little things will be decided,” Golla said.

Favorites Sweden and Denmark celebrate their first victories

11pm: Title defender Sweden The European Handball Championship began with a confident victory. Coach Glenn Solberg's team, filled with numerous Bundesliga players, defeated Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group E on Thursday with 29:20 (14:7). Denmark, world champions three times in a row, also celebrated a maiden success. At 23:14 (9:9) against the Czech Republic in Group F, the favorites needed a clear improvement in their performance after the break. Norway He won Group D with 32:21 (15:10). Poland through.

Powerful and unique: handball players enthusiastically celebrate the start of the Euro Cup

Thursday, January 11, 4:59 am: The world record attendance of 53,586 fans impressed the German handball players and whetted their appetite for an evocative Euro Cup at home. “I liked it a lot. This atmosphere was fantastic. You get used to it easily,” said excellent goalkeeper Andreas Wolff after the 27:14 (13:8) victory against Switzerland at the beginning of the European Championship.

His teammates also indulged in superlative words after Wednesday afternoon's game in Düsseldorf. “That was incredible and huge for each of us. I am super grateful and happy to have been there. It was a special experience. The filming was especially gigantic. “I got goosebumps and had to smile,” said playmaker Juri Knorr, who was the best German shooter with six goals.

“It was through the bone. I will never forget that. This really only exists in Germany and that makes you want more,” enthused left winger Rune Dahmke. The Bundesliga professional from THW Kiel had goosebumps on two occasions. “During the warm-up, when we ran into the room and when the national anthem played. That was brutal,” Dahmke said.

With chants, chants and waves of La Ola, the spectators led the DHB team to a dream start at the European Championship. “It was a unique experience for us in our handball career. It came from all sides of the puck. It was very noisy,” reported Captain Johannes Golla with a broad smile and said: “The euphoria is there now.”

This should now extend to Berlin, where the DHB team will play its next preliminary round matches against North Macedonia and France performed. “I think the Germans are ready for the tournament and will push us forward,” said defender Julian Köster. He described the match at the refurbished stadium of second division football team Fortuna Düsseldorf as “the most unique match of my career. “It was just phenomenal.”

Right winger Timo Kastening thinks the same. “It was a unique experience and a handball festival that we all really enjoyed. It was incredible to be able to play in a football stadium as a handball player,” said the MT Melsungen professional. And defense player Philipp Weber said: “You got goosebumps and peed in your eyes.”

53,586: world record number of spectators at the start of the championship Handball-EM

21:19: German handball players started the European Championship at home in front of a world record crowd. 53,586 spectators watched the start of the DHB team against Switzerland at the Düsseldorf football stadium European The Handball Federation (EHF) announced shortly before the start of the match. There have never been so many fans at an indoor handball match.

To make the sporting spectacle possible, additional stands were built with a capacity of more than 9,000 seats; around 25,000 pieces were needed. 250 speakers, 50 amplifiers, 500 moving lamps and 30 laser systems created a unique experience.

The previous attendance record dates back to 2014. At that time, 44,189 spectators watched the match between Rhein-neckar Löwen and Hamburg in the Frankfurt football stadium.

DHB team's opening match against Switzerland live

20:32: German handball players start the European Championship at home. The first victory should be achieved against Switzerland in front of a record crowd of 53,000 in Düsseldorf. You will be able to watch the game starting at 8:45 p.m. Follow here on our live ticker.

Flensburg's Gottfridsson once again has “high hopes” for Sweden

Wednesday, January 10, 5:05 p.m.: Handball player Jim Gottfridsson of SG Flensburg-Handewitt believes that Sweden has a chance to defend its title. “We have high hopes because we have a strong team again,” the 31-year-old told the Schleswig-Holsteinische Zeitungsverlag (Wednesday).

Sweden begins the tournament on Thursday (8:30 p.m.) against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Mannheim. “Even if the stadium is half full, we will have a good atmosphere,” Gottfridsson said. “Denmark may be the world champion and the birthplace of handball, but Germany is the greatest handball nation of all.”

In Group E, Sweden will face Georgia and its first rival, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Netherlands. Gottfridsson considers the Netherlands to be “very dynamic”. “I won't deal with Georgia until the day before the game.”

You can find more information about the European Handball Championship on the following pages.