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German handball players at the EM 2020
Photo:
Stanko Gruden / kolektiff / imago images / Kolektiff
What's up?
The 25th women's handball world championship starts on Wednesday in Spain.
The game is played in Granollers, Lliria, Castellon de la Plana and Torrevieja.
The defending champions are the Netherlands, the greatest successes of the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB) so far are the World Cup title in 1993 and the third places in 1965, 1997 and 2007.
At the World Cup in Japan two years ago, the German team missed the big chance for the semi-finals and also missed the Olympic Games in Tokyo in eighth place.
Record world champion is Russia with seven titles.
Which mode is played in?
The World Cup will be played for the first time with 32 teams.
In eight groups of four, the nations first fight for a place in the main round.
The best three teams in each preliminary group advance.
In the main round there are four groups of six, which are made up of two crossed preliminary round groups.
Points against the also qualified teams will be taken.
The best two teams in each main round group qualify for the quarter-finals (December 14/15), which, like the semi-finals (December 17) and the final (December 19), will be played in Granollers.
Who are the favorites?
Olympic champion France starts as a top favorite.
In addition, record European champions Norway are highly valued.
The Russian defending champions Netherlands also have a good chance of winning the title.
In addition, Spain should have a home advantage as hosts.
Who do the DHB women meet?
In the preliminary round group E, the DHB selection in Lliria in the province of Valencia will face European teams.
After the start against the Czech Republic (December 2nd) the games against Slovakia (December 4th) and Hungary (December 6th), arguably the strongest opponents in the group, will follow.
In the main round, three teams from Group F with Denmark, South Korea, Tunisia and the Republic of the Congo would be waiting for the German team.
You can find an overview of the tournament here.
What chances does Germany have?
Getting into the knockout round would be a success, a medal a little sensation.
The team lost two leading players with the resignations of captain Kim Naidzinavicius and circle runner Julia Behnke.
Nevertheless, there is a lot of self-confidence: »We are not at the top level like Olympic champion France or European champion Norway.
But I think we'll annoy one or the other big guy and have a lot of fun with it, ”said goalkeeper Dinah Eckerle.
German top player Emily Bölk sounds even more offensive: »We know that we can beat the top nations too.
We have often shown that we can keep up.
The trick is to consistently achieve this. "
What is the objective?
The DHB avoids naming a clear objective in the form of a placement.
One thing is clear: the continued employment of national coach Henk Groener depends on the appearance of the DHB women.
The Dutchman's contract, which expired at the end of the year, was initially only extended until spring.
The team wants to do its part.
"I think very highly of him, I really enjoy working with him," said Bölk about the national coach.
What role does Corona play?
The precautionary measures are not as strict as at the EM last year, spectators are allowed.
However, the World Cup will be held as a 2G event.
Players and coaches must also be vaccinated against the coronavirus or have recovered from Covid disease.
Where can you see the German games?
The total of 108 World Cup games can be viewed on the internet on sportdeutschland.TV.
There will be no live images from Spain on TV.
jan / dpa / sid