Stefan Kretzschmar: “Schwarzer and Biegler to succeed Brand”

In an interview for Handball-Planet.com, German legendary left wing, Stefan Kretzchmar (37), now at the position of TV commentator, talked about “German disaster” at the WC 2011 in Sweden, where Heiner Brand team won 11th place:

– We are very disappointed.  This is the worst result for German national team ever. Also, we are disappointed with the players behaviour. They played without heart, without emotions. That brought to us many problems. We have at home five millions TV viewers and NT was awful. That is why we feel like this…

Where are the problems of German NT? Do you really think that your team has quality for semifinals?

– That is a good question. We have a good players, but no team. We have no leader in the team. We have good goalkeepers, but nothing like that at the field. We thought that Kraus, Glandorf or Hens could be a leaders, but they aren’t.  They don’t play good and when you don’t play on some level, you can’t push other to play better, because, they don’t recognize you. That is a big problem of this generation. They play without head, with no mentality…

However, chances for London OG 2012 are still alive. From EURO 2012, two teams going into the qualification process…

– Wait and see, because we need first to qualify for the EURO 2012.  On that road Austria and Iceland waiting for us. It will be extremely difficult, because we lost a point at home against Austria.  If we lose VISA for EURO 2012, then, won’t be further German handball at the Planet.  That would be a disaster. Even, if we qualify, still we have to be better from Poland and Serbia in Serbia! That isn’t so easy.  I hope that Moustaffa will find some way to “push” us a little bit. He needs our economy for tournaments (laugh). It’s normal that his wish for London is Germany as a participant (laugh).

Do you think that Era of Heiner Brand is over?

– Let’s see what he will decide after talks with DHB representatives. Many people told me, also players, that he can’t reach the team anymore. He hasn’t impact, talking about problems, but nobody understand his words. Normal solution is coach replacement, but we have big respect for him and that kind of decision only he can take. We will give him a credit for choice. If he thinks that he has motivation to go on, it is ok.  If he isn’t ready, we will search for a new names…

We heard you opinnion about German players. What about German coaches? Who can replace Brand in the future?

– At this tournament, players played with no heart. Players have big contracts in their teams, but for NT play without proud. Guy who can bring back that emotion is Christian Schwarzer. He already coaching our junior team. He could be a part of “double” with some experienced coach as Michael Biegler in form of advisor. That could be a good solution, two Germans. If is that impossible, maybe we can try with some foreign coach. Gislason or some other, who can change something quickly. We don’t have a time…

You are working in Leipzig as a Sports Director. That is another one handball project on the East of Germany. Can you make success as Fuchse done that in Berlin?

– It is quite the same kind of project. We started year ago from fourth Division. Now, we are the leaders in third. In Leipzig are good finance situation. We don’t have problems with other sports. Red Bull gives money to local football. City wants to become more sports place…

Do you think that is possible that domination of Northern teams can be stopped in next few years in direction of East (Fuchse, Magdeburg, Leipzig)?

– I think that the biggest force of German handball will stay Kiel – Hamburg, because they have most money. In that group is also a Rhein Neckar Lowen. We will try to change something, but if you see that Kiel and HSV has 12 million Euros budget and that Leipzig has only 0.5 mill that showing a lot. I am not sure, whether is possible to find 12 million in Leipzig. Maybe Berlin playing over their capabilities this season. Anyway, that is good for handball. Also, we don’t have a teams in Munchen, Frankfurt…

Any handball project for Munchen?

– Maybe in the future, if we get Olympic Games. They now started with a basketball. Bayern plays in second division, so for now, probably, no handball project will start in Munchen. This city chose their own way…

When will this torture of French generation of world’s handball will finish?

– We must to affraid further (laugh). Boring years waiting for us. Karabatic is only 26 years old and he can play ten years more. This team will have small problems, when Dinart and Omeyer decide to quit, but there is still a lot of young forces. Acambray, Barachet, Honrubia, Abalo is still young. They will continue their dictature…

Some other big disapointment except Germany?

– It can be only Germany (laugh). Maybe Poland. I expected much more from this team. Also, Serbia. TOP players, but there is no team.  When you see their roster, you say, how is possible that they can be lower than Hungary? They have same quality as Croatia on the paper. Anyway, every year, they are negative surprise..

Do you think that placement of Sweden as a host team at WC 2011 is overated?

– That is a politics. Advantage of home court in handball is very known. It was like that in Germany and in every countri is the same.  If you are an average team, you are rising. I think that wasn’t problem in refferes.  You got some “two minutes” more, but that isn’t a key advantage. Sweden has no team for the first five places. They don’t have a left back. Du Rietz is good, but he isn’t a TOP quality. They have good right backs and that is everything. You will see already in Serbia, Sweden will not be among the best teams…