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Alfred Gíslason: »We've got a lot off the ground in the past few months«
Photo:
Marius Becker / dpa
National coach Alfred Gíslason has prematurely extended his contract with the German Handball Federation until 2024.
The DHB announced.
The 62-year-old's contract would have expired in February, i.e. after the European Championship that began in January.
According to the DHB, the new contract includes the home European championships to be held in Germany in 2024 and the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26th to August 11th, 2024).
Gíslason took over the national team in February 2020.
He should “continue and further shape the rebuilding of the DHB team for the decade of handball,” said the association announcement: “With all his experience, Alfred Gíslason fits in very well with the rebuilding of our national team.
This new and young formation will be able to use such an experienced trainer as a rock in the surf, "DHB President Andreas Michelmann is quoted as saying.
"He will be the helmsman for our young team," said DHB sports director Axel Kromer.
The German selection had aimed for a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, but missed it.
She finished sixth in the Olympic handball tournament.
At the 2021 World Cup in Egypt, Gíslason's team missed the final round and finished twelfth.
Gíslason demands patience
“We've got a lot going in the past few months.
I am sure that the further development of the currently very young and inexperienced team will give us a lot of pleasure «, Gíslason is now quoted as saying.
The prerequisite for this is that you give him and the team time.
Before Gíslason took over the German national team, he was one of the most successful club coaches.
He won the Champions League with both SC Magdeburg (2002) and THW Kiel (2010 and 2012).
He was German champion seven times.
A German triumph at the EM next January would be a big surprise.
While nations like France, Spain or Denmark are considered favorites, the German team should be among the underdogs when it comes to medals.
The tournament will take place between January 13th and 30th in Hungary and Slovakia.
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