Gislason with 17 players to WCh 2025 – Birlehm and Zechel “under the line”
After the two international matches against Brazil, national coach Alfred Gislason has decided on the German national handball team for the upcoming World Cup. Goalkeeper Joel Birlehm and pivot Tim Zechel will not initially be part of the World Cup team from the preparation squad that has been active since January 3.
The DHB entourage will travel north with 17 players on Monday, January 13, after a morning training session and a final lunch. In the evening, the team will then set up in Silkeborg, Denmark, and will start the tournament in Herning.
The preliminary round opponents are Poland (January 15, 8:30 p.m.), Switzerland (January 17, 8:30 p.m.) and the Czech Republic (January 19, 6 p.m.). The first three teams will advance to the main round, in which – assuming both teams qualify – there will be a repeat of the Olympic final between hosts Denmark and Germany.
The squad for the World Cup must be formally confirmed on the morning of the first match day. Up to 18 players can be nominated, of which 16 must be selected for each match up to one hour before kick-off.
During the tournament, a so-called late entry is still possible if 17 players register. In addition, Gislason can make a total of five substitutions with players from the 35-man squad registered at the beginning of November if necessary.
Goalkeepers: David Späth (Rhein-Neckar Löwen), Andreas Wolff (THW Kiel)
Players: Rune Dahmke (THW Kiel), Justus Fischer (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf), Johannes Golla (SG Flensburg-Handewitt), Marko Grgic (ThSV Eisenach), Timo Kastening (MT Melsungen), Juri Knorr (Rhein-Neckar Löwen), Julian Köster (VfL Gummersbach), Nils Lichtlein (Füchse Berlin), Lukas Mertens (SC Magdeburg), Franz Semper (SC DHfK Leipzig), Christoph Steinert (HC Erlangen), Lukas Stutzke (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf), Renars Uscins (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf), Luca Witzke (SC DHfK Leipzig), Lukas Zerbe (THW Kiel)xde
