Health problems: ARD presenter Bommes also cancels the Handball World Cup after the World Cup

Created: 01/06/2023 10:37 am

By: Andreas Knobloch

Alexander Bommes will not accompany the Handball World Cup as usual with expert Dominik Klein on ARD.

The moderator is absent due to health reasons.

© Imago

Moderator Alexander Bommes is now missing the Handball World Cup after the Football World Cup for health reasons.

Berlin – The Handball World Championship will take place in Poland and Sweden from January 11th to 29th, 2023.

The German national team around coach Alfred Gislason meets Qatar, Serbia and Algeria in the group phase.

Despite the upheaval, the German team is considered the favorite in Group E. German television shows all the games played by the DHB squad, but unfortunately Alexander Bommes is not present as a moderator.

After the World Cup, the 46-year-old will also miss the handball tournament.

Bommes canceled the event in Qatar for health reasons, and now his job with the handball players.

A public statement from the ARD states: "After a year in which I, like many people, had to accept some health restrictions, I want to complete further recovery and therefore consequently refrain from moderating this year's Handball World Cup".

Alexander Bommes misses the Handball World Cup as an ARD moderator: replacement woman is certain

The passionate ex-handball player, who once played in the Bundesliga, does not reveal any more details about his condition.

Stephanie Müller-Spirra will replace him.

She is assisted by the expert Dominik Klein.

A former World Champion, Klein has led through a number of tournaments and is no stranger to the microphone.

Stephanie Müller-Spirra comments for ARD at the Handball World Cup.

© IMAGO/Michael Kremer

On Saturday (January 7th / 4.15 p.m. / ZDF) and Sunday (January 8th (3.30 p.m. / zdf.de) the Germans want to warm up in two preparatory games against secret favorite Iceland (here you can find the schedule for the 2023 World Cup). The halls in Bremen and Hanover are sold out. Strict corona rules from the world association IHF apply to the upcoming tournament. This stipulates a PCR test in the 72 hours before arrival, as well as quick tests after the preliminary and after the main round Players who test positive are required to be in isolation for at least five days in the IHF guidelines.

Strict Corona rules for the Handball World Cup are met with a lack of understanding among the players and coaches

This is met with a lack of understanding – including with Germany’s upcoming test match opponent Iceland.

"The players are aware that they can end their quarantine themselves at any time and refuse to be tested," wrote national goalkeeper Björgvin Pall Gustavsson in an open letter to the IHF.

The team from co-host Sweden has already made a similar statement.

The Icelandic goalkeeper even threatened legal action.

"The tournament rules are stricter than the existing laws of the respective countries," wrote the former Magdeburg player.

The human rights of the players, according to the argument, are being attacked.

The world association defended the measures on Thursday and called on the World Cup participants to help (here the sporting rules).

There is an FFP2 obligation for journalists in the Iceland friendlies

The schedule of the German national team

Friday, January 13 at 6 p.m. against Qatar live on ZDF

Sunday, January 15 at 6 p.m. against Serbia on ARD

Tuesday, January 17 at 6 p.m. against Algeria on ZDF

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Before leaving for Katowice on January 12, the association is taking a number of precautionary measures to avoid deja vu.

"The German delegation is reducing its contacts without pursuing a ban on contacts," the association said in response to an SID request.

At the request of the team doctor, media representatives were required to wear an FFP2 mask during the tests against Iceland.

"Unfortunately, contacts with fans in the vicinity of the international matches must continue to be reduced," wrote the DHB.