A couple of days in the past, Tim Zechel was nonetheless coping with disappointment. Seven objectives in a check match between HC Erlangen and SG BBM Bietigheim, however he would have most well-liked to be on the pitch at the World Handball Championships in Poland and Sweden slightly than Grünewaldhalle in Tauberbischofsheim. handball, however identified for fencing. But nationwide coach Alfred Ghislason had different plans for Zechel, sending the Erlangen runner dwelling earlier than the World Cup so he may settle in at the membership. He was “extremely upset,” Zechel stated.
Meanwhile, he’s mentally behind Grünewaldhalle in Tauberbischofsheim, skilled life strikes shortly. On Wednesday night in Gdańsk, introduced Zechel arrived in Poland forward of the essential quarter-last in opposition to Olympic champions France. Zechelmen Gislason expands the choices in the center of the protection in the loss to Norway. So, the teenager from Erlangen nonetheless has an opportunity at the World Cup, even in opposition to the infamous French.
The Erlangen faction in the German nationwide crew thus grew to 2 gamers. Until now, all the focus has been on 33-yr-previous Christoph Steinert, the left-hander who has performed a excessive-profile supporting position in Gislason’s facet thus far this World Cup. Great moments got here from others, however Steinert was constant in each recreation, aggressively attacking in protection, exhibiting his versatility in assault – he can fill two positions at the highest worldwide degree: proper half and proper wing. His spectacular interim tally contains three objectives in opposition to Serbia, 4 in opposition to Algeria, three in opposition to Argentina and two in opposition to the Netherlands.
Steinert may be very in style with the nationwide coach, Zechel could belong to the future
At dwelling in Erlangen, they’re already proud. They are organizing the crowd at each World Cup recreation in Germany with one marketing campaign: each time Steinert scores a objective for Germany, tickets for the subsequent Erlangen dwelling recreation will likely be offered for twenty-four hours at a 25 p.c low cost. He additionally scored in opposition to Norway on Monday evening, so it was a reduction once more in Erlangen. Now they want Zechel to attain in opposition to France.
Featured: Tim Zechel visited the DHB crew in Gdansk.
(Photo: Roland Sippel/Eibner/Imago)
For Steinert and Seechel, this World Cup is an enormous deal, Germany’s first actually huge match, however it’s debatable that Steinert is already at the 2022 European Championships in Hungary and Slovakia. He performed an excellent position even earlier than he was contaminated with the crown, however Steinert distinguishes: EM was totally different with all the ailments, confusions and surprises. Steinert considers this World Cup his first “regular huge match” and gave himself a memorable second. Steinert’s show of the Kempa trick in opposition to Serbia with left winger Lukas Mertens was sensible: Juri Knorr hit Mertens with an extended ball that rose and flew into the circle. Mertens flew the ball previous Steinert at the proper second. Inventor Bernhard Kempa could not have accomplished higher.
Steinert is already very fashionable amongst nationwide coaches. Gislason appreciates his confidence, defensive play, offensive versatility and coolness in throwing. The Icelander is not going to hesitate for a second and will most likely put Steinert on the board in the decisive quarter-last in opposition to France. And Steinert is aware of what a nationwide coach has. Gislason “has a really authoritarian aura,” says Steinert: “But that routinely creates construction and self-discipline. We have an in depth relationship of belief with him, and he typically offers us free entry on the area.”
One Erlangen is in the center of the nationwide crew, and the different hopes to grow to be a member of this crew in the future. The 26-yr-previous Zechel definitely is aware of his time to qualify could but come: Patrik Wiencek and Hendrik Pekeler, two gamers who’ve formed the crew for years, have left their internal-block spots. They depart a void stuffed by 22-yr-previous Julian Koster at this World Cup – and one Zechel will likely be trying to fill. “If each of them have been there, there can be no place for me now,” says Zechel. He additionally desires to grow to be an everyday alongside captain Johannes Golla, from whom he can “study lots”. “Johannes takes us by the hand,” says Zechel, “and I get lots from him on the street.”
The truth that he’s now an official World Cup participant is an enormous step for the runner. “It’s actually unimaginable,” says Zechel, “I did not assume it might occur.” His colleague in Erlangen, Steinert, can change it if crucial.
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