“The coach is always right.” At least older people will still know this sentence. It is of course nonsense in such a generalized way. But in relation to national coach Alfred Gislason and the German national handball team, it is accurate and more relevant than ever.
Gislason has rejuvenated the squad in recent years, relying increasingly on the new generation around Knorr and Uscins and is now even relying on the generation after that (Grgic). And the young players are now paying him back, with the delay that is usual in sport, and are preparing to become the next “golden generation”. Perhaps they already are – even if they only manage to get silver against league leaders Denmark.
German David beats French Goliath
Gislason has always stressed that the DHB team has a lot of talent(s). Even and especially after defeats and when criticism arose. A coach of his caliber sees a player’s talent and the associated potential for future tasks more quickly than most others. The fact that players like Juri Knorr, who is playing with much more confidence again, and the previous player of the tournament, Renars Uscins, are now helping him to achieve tangible results is also his own achievement.
The fact that he surprisingly made Johannes Golla captain a few years ago has long since paid off. With the precision and consistency of a Swiss watch like Roger Federer, the Flensburg native scores almost every shot and, as team captain, also plays a significant role in the infectiously positive atmosphere in the team.
David Späth, who has grown to become the clear number two under Gislason – perhaps we should now call him number one – has long been one of the mainstays of this DHB team. The way the German David defeated the French Goliath was incredible. And could only be surpassed by the German Wolff, who made the proud Spanish bulls look like idiots when they threw their litters.
Andreas Wolff parried 22 of 45 shots – this achievement, in connection with the entry into the Olympic final, even overwhelmed the otherwise rather controlled Icelander Gislason and caused his joy to bubble up into the stadium like a geyser. What images of him hugging his Spanish hero Wolff. The Andi Wolff who took the Spaniards by the horns eight years ago.
Uscins, the Olympic high-flyer
But Gislason also always stressed, like a mantra, that this team still needs time. Even and especially after defeats and when criticism arose. Alfred Gislason knew what this team was capable of if given the necessary time to mature. It remains to be seen whether the first title can be won now.
But the fact that it is still open until the last match day of this Olympic tournament is a big win in itself. Sweden beaten, the top favorite and host France beaten, Spain even beaten twice – anyone who placed a bet on that two weeks ago should now have a bulging wallet.
This German team is already one of the winners of these Olympic Games before the dream final against Denmark. They fought and showed what they are capable of at the European Championships on home soil. They fought, played consistently at a world-class level and showed that they can beat the top nations again, and they have now done so in Paris and Lille.
This close-knit group, held together at the back by an outstanding goalkeeping duo Wolff/Späth and a stable, courageous defense, and carried up front by a confident and confident attack and Olympic high-flyer Renars Uscins, has once again raised handball enthusiasm in Germany to a new level. This German team now has what is probably a unique chance to capitalize on its strong performance. And to show what a golden touch “Gold-Gislason” has.
In Zweite Welle, bestselling author Daniel Duhr regularly writes about current handball topics on and off the court. And invites you to join the discussion. What is your point of view? We look forward to hearing your opinions!
