As part of the national beach handball team, three players from the HSG Würm-Mitte are in Düsseldorf at the weekend.
At a very special event, the "German Beach Trophy".
Würmtal - for three days everything is almost normal again for Belen Gettwart, Carolin Hübner and Kristina Krecken - and at the same time so extraordinary.
A bit of normality has returned to the three young handball players at the HSG Würm-Mitte insofar as they are competing in a team again this weekend.
You can at least push aside the whole corona madness that has had the world in a headlock for almost a year.
"I'm just looking forward to another competition," says Hübner.
Krecken adds: “It's nice to get some normality back in.” The days are special for Gettwart, Hübner and Krecken anyway, after all, the competitions are internal duels between the beach handball national teams, whose cadres include the Young Wildcats trio .
"German Beach Trophy" 2021: Beach volleyball meets beach handball
“German Beach Trophy” is the name of the multisport event in Düsseldorf, which is taking place for the first time this year.
Before the best beach volleyball players in Germany compete in a league system from next Wednesday, January 20, it will be the turn of the beach handball players this weekend.
"We are very pleased that our national teams have the opportunity to develop further in competition in these difficult times," explains Axel Kromer, Sports Director of the German Handball Federation (DHB).
“We can present beach handball in this exciting environment.
Hopefully many people will be able to experience the fascination of beach handball via digital channels and maybe try their hand at this field in summer as well. "
The DHB teams compete in the North versus South battle in Düsseldorf
In the tournament in Düsseldorf, the players of the men's and women's national teams as well as the male and female U17s (former U16s) compete against each other within their teams.
The four beach handball squads are each divided into a team north and a team south, which then meet within their gender and age group in the outward and second round.
Each of the eight teams thus created plays on the one hand for itself and on the other hand for the north-south overall standings.
There will also be two cross-team trick shot contests.
“I'm excited to see what's in store for us,” says Gettwart.
HSG player Krecken: "It's a special kick"
The three HSG players logically all compete for the south.
The tournament principle is exciting because on the one hand there is a particular ambition against the teammates, but on the other hand you get along well, explains Würm-Mittes trio in unison.
Winning is not the most important thing this weekend - but the goal is.
Kristina Krecken, for example, emphasizes: "It is a special kick to battle with the north."
She and Carolin Hübner, both 16, are competing in the U17, while Belen Gettwart (18) is playing her first tournament with the adult national team.
"Above all, it will be something completely different to play in an arena," says Gettwart, who completed the first courses with the DHB women at the end of last year.
She is full of anticipation, although no spectators are allowed.
Testing and separation: Corona measures for "German Beach Trophy"
The pandemic cannot be completely shaken off with the “German Beach Trophy”.
According to the DHB, all participants are members of the national squad and are therefore entitled to play despite Corona.
The tournament is based, however, on "a comprehensive hygiene and infection protection concept, which, among other things, provides for multiple tests for Covid-19 of the players".
In addition, women and men are strictly separated in their accommodations, Gettwart said.
The three Young Wildcats arrived yesterday, today a training day is on the program.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Mitsubishi Electric Hall will be all about countable items, in which a professional court was built from around 350 tons of sand.
A quartet from the HSG Würm-Mitte almost started in Düsseldorf.
Paula Reips had to cancel her participation in the tournament due to work.
Beach handball vs. handball in the hall: that's what the talents of Würm-Mitte say
That's why only a Würmtaler trio can work on their beach skills.
But which surface do the three HSG talents prefer, sand or hall floor?
“You can't compare that at all,” says Kristina Krecken.
Belen Gettwart, who runs into the sand for the Beach Bazis Schleißheim, adds: "I am always looking forward to the change - in both directions."
Carolin Hübner, a beach handball player wearing the Ismaning brothers' dress, also agrees: “It's the mix that makes it all.” The three of them agree.
Live broadcast of the "German Beach Trophy" online at Twitch.TV
The beach handball duels at the “German Beach Trophy” can be seen free of charge on the Twitch.TV streaming platform.
mg
Read also from the Würmtal:
A bang at TSV Neuried: Davide Taurino, head coach and man for everything, leaves the fifth district league
Fishermen on the Würm get a big surprise: They catch three huge predatory fish - within an hour
"Kicker" chooses ex-SVP player Albion Vrenezi in the top eleven of the 2nd Bundesliga
