By Kevin Domas The winners of the previous two international competitions are approaching the unknown, as both countries face similar problems, while heavily relying on young players as old generations slowly retire. Spain are assured of remaining “Kings of Europe” until next year, while France might lose their crown in three weeks time. “We’re not title holders of anything. A …
Easy going
MATCH REVIEW – Just as expected, Chile was no match for Denmark in the opening game of the 2019 World Championship. In a packed Royal Arena, the hosts cruised to a 23 goal-win, a margin that could have easily been higher. By Peter Bruun Group C Chile vs Denmark 16:39 (4:22) Before the Match People may not think much of …
“Germany is the Mecca of Handball”
By Kevin Domas INTERVIEW – Things have changed since 2014. At the time, Luka Karabatic played his first major tournament for France and in Herning he collected his first international title, at the EHF EURO. Back then, quite a few of the pundits thought that he owed his career to his brother and that he wasn’t good enough on his …
Scandinavian favorites in trouble
ANALYSIS – All three of the Scandinavian countries will enjoy “home court advantage”, at least to some extent, for almost the entire 2019 World Championship. Recent achievements also indicate a successful tournament for Denmark, Norway and Sweden – but not all of them will benefit equally. By Peter Bruun Lady Luck was touching all three Scandinavian nations at the draw …
“Norway is ready”
By Sascha Staat INTERVIEW – Frode Scheie used to be the shot-stopper of Norway’s national handball team, but these days he is the voice of handball for TV channel Viasat. I talked to the former goalkeeper about the upcoming World championship in Denmark and Germany and what’s in store for the team of coach Christian Berge. How much are you …
All In
By Sascha Staat Well – I may have used this headline before, but I cannot recall when? Yet, it wouldn’t surprise me, especially in connection with the German national handball team. A World championship on home soil is on the horizon for coach Christian Prokop and his men – one year after a disastrous ninth-place finish at the EHF Euro …
“We have more solutions than ever before”
By Kevin Domas INTERVIEW – After their tremendous success on Europe’s main handball stage – the VELUX EHF Champions League – where Montpellier went all the way to win the FINAL4 in 2018, this year the French side is struggling to put it mildly. While some players have delivered disappointing performances since the beginning of the new season, right-back Valentin …
“It can hardly get any better”
INTERVIEW – Rasmus Lauge speaks to stregspiller.com about the upcoming World Championship on home ground, about his amazing fall season in Flensburg and what’s next in Veszprém. By Peter Bruun “It’ll be awesome and extremely big! I am so much looking forward to it.” Rasmus Lauge is no in doubt what a World Championship, on home soil, means to him. …
“Players would be very angry if I said we’re not favorites”
By Kevin Domas INTERVIEW – Just one week before the 2019 IHF World Championship, French national coach Didider Dinart still has plenty of questions to answer. Of the 20 players he selected on December 26, four will have to be cut before the first game of the tournament, on January 11th in Berlin, against Brazil. But before coach Dinart makes …
Sweden – full of energy
By Sascha Staat Nobody expected Sweden to go all the way to the final at the 2018 European championship, in Croatia, but they did so anyway. As the next big tournament – the 2019 World Cup in Germany and Denmark – is just around the corner, there is no way that the Scandinavian handball powerhouse can escape the spotlight. I …