EThese are the spatial differences that best illustrate the worlds between which handball professionals move. Jim Gottfridsson had just told a hundred journalists in the interview zone of the dazzling Cologne Arena why his Swedes were dissatisfied despite finishing third at the European Championships.
Now, six days later, Gottfridsson stood in the dark equipment room of the Alsterdorf sports hall and summarized his SG Flensburg-Handewitt's entry into the “Final Four” of the cup competition. Exactly one microphone was held in front of his nose.
“It’s mentally tough”
Director Gottfridsson, 31, said: “We desperately need a break for the head. It's mentally tough to keep playing right now. But unfortunately we are used to it. And you have to say that we have a really good rhythm. We are professionals and our life these days consists of handball, eating, sleeping.”
The Flensburg team had just won 37:25 at HSV Hamburg and reached the finals in Cologne for the second time in a row alongside Magdeburg, Berlin and Melsungen (April 13th/14th).
In addition to all the joy, this also means that there are now two more games for the professionals. And at least Johannes Golla thought beyond the day: “Ask me again in May how I’m doing. The stress doesn't play a role yet because we're in our rhythm.” That was far less the case for the Hamburg team with their fewer European Championship participants.
Golla, 26 years old, played eleven games as captain of the national team between January 5th and 29th – most of them lasting 50 or more minutes. His Danish coach Nicolej Krickau sent him to the bench after 50 minutes on Saturday and said: “He looked fresh today. But we will have to keep giving him and others breaks over the next few weeks.”
“I don’t need a break”
The case of Simon Pytlick shows that not all stress is the same. The Danish European Championship runner-up with Flensburg experienced the continental tournament as an extended rehabilitation program after his foot injury in October: “I came out of the European Championships with great energy and was able to gain practice there. I don’t need a break.” However, his view of things is the exception.
Golla in particular has an immense program coming up. Bundesliga, DHB Cup, European League and the national team – if the Germans prevail against Austria, Croatia and Algeria in Hanover from March 14th to 17th, they would be in the Olympic handball tournament. This runs from July 25th to August 11th – the 2024/25 Bundesliga season begins on August 31st.
“Not getting any satisfied players back”
SC Magdeburg sent 15 European Championship participants and experienced a special situation. Coach Bennet Wiegert said on Sunday evening after the 34:24 against the Rhein-Neckar Löwen on the streaming service “Dyn”: “Physically, the boys can take the strain. But we had to talk a lot because I didn't get any satisfied players back. I got silver and bronze medalists and disappointed Icelanders back. They now want to show everyone with the SCM. I like this mindset. But I have to slow them down given the tasks that lie ahead.” The Magdeburg team will play at THW Kiel on Wednesday (8.30 p.m. live on Dyn).
Juri Knorr and Julian Köster experienced that German leading actors immediately had leading roles again. Knorr played well as Lions leader for 20 minutes in Magdeburg. Then his strength dwindled and the people next to him weren't much help.
Köster looked determined to reach the “Final Four” when his VfL Gummersbach lost 29:31 in Berlin on Sunday afternoon. However, the width of the Foxes prevailed. Neither the Lions nor Gummersbach can do without their core players – but they will have to. Lions coach Sebastian Hinze has already announced that he will give Knorr breaks. Köster, who thrives on his strength, will also urgently need it.
These are tough weeks and months that the frequent players are looking forward to. Not only the necessary care of the body will be crucial, but also mental support. Many of them now trust mental coaches within a club or on a personal basis. Because the professional handball players have stopped believing in one thing: “Nothing will change in the game plan in my active career,” said Jim Gottfridsson in the dark equipment room of the Alsterdorf sports hall.
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