EM-qualification : Germany's handball players are back in everyday life

As a Handball coach is a committed Christian Prokop, ex officio, to neutrality, sympathy or antipathy he should not speak in public. Over the weekend, has designed this venture for him, however, is difficult: Before the Cup final match between SC Magdeburg and THW Kiel Prokop was asked if he had a favorite. "Of course not," replied the coach, but he could live with it, if the SCM decisions in the endgame.

Prokop's motivations were understandable – because the Magdeburg employ a German national team and the Kieler of those four. And because, of course, the thought was that the winning Finalist of the Cup of triumph, a hearty Celebration to follow, before on Monday, the country game of the week begins. Hand shooting is said, after great Victories, Yes, a certain amount of drinking strength.

"We now have to provide"

Prokop's Concerns should prove unfounded. Perhaps the four of Kiel, in particular Steffen Weinhold, Patrick Wiencek, Hendrik Pekeler and Andreas Wolff were – on Monday afternoon, not yet completely sobered up after their Cup victory. Negative no one noticed during the visit to the Federal Chancellery but fortunately. Well, two months after the home world Cup received Angela Merkel and the national team, and praised the Participants for their rousing performances that had followed, in January, millions of people. "It was a great experience for any athlete to feel the interest," said Prokop.

as of Tuesday, the view in the rear view mirror is now to a certain extent on the Index for the national Handball players. What has happened in January, at the latest, with the visit of the Chancellor is final in history. The concentration in everyday life should apply exclusively to sporting matters and the tasks ahead are challenging: On Wednesday, the DHB-selection in the EM-qualification in Gliwice against Poland (18 clock, live on ARD), on Saturday in Halle/Westphalia for the return game against the strongest opponent in the group (14 clock, live on ZDF). With two Victories, the Germans could qualify already for the continental tournament, worthy of the name, this time, really, in 2020, Europe will be held the championship for the first Time in three countries, namely Norway, Sweden, and Austria.

Reichmann receives a second Chance

"We must now deliver and just" demands of the DHB Vice President Bob Hanning in front of the double round against Poland. In the case of the first Events since the start of the world Cup to Team Germany not so loose-fuzzy approach, such as recently in the Test against the international rather second-rate Switzerland that was lost at the beginning of March, with 27:29. In contrast to this game, Procopius did not belong to Finn Lemke now all the players in the first squad. Also captain Uwe Gensheimer has returned after a auskurierten injury.

Even right wing Tobias Reichmann is apparently hopes to play for the national team nominated. "The table-cloth is not cut," Prokop said in an Interview with the "Stuttgarter Nachrichten". "If he is fit and in the club performance, he gets a Chance again." Reichmann had taken care of during the world Cup for headlines, because he was flown after its removal from the 16s squad in the holiday, although the opportunity would have passed him to nominate. At the Moment Reichmann hurt anyway. One way or the other ", it is our ambition to win both games against Poland," says Prokop. For all Involved it was mainly a mental challenge, believes the national coach. "After the Cup final, the visit of the German Chancellor and the trip to Gliwice, we have to adjust to us within 48 hours in the best way possible and with a high level of passion to play," says Prokop.

If the national team succeeds, you will be. for the coach, probably even in Kiel, his desire for the outcome of the Cup finals check