Germany have established themselves as one of the powerhouses in women’s handball and the last years have brought plenty of success. From being the runners-up at the 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship to securing the title at the W19 EHF EURO 2025, Germany have been firing up from all cylinders.

The current generation of players taking part at the 2026 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship has already provided some great higlights. Two years ago, also in the People’s Republic of China, they finished fifth at the 2024 IHF Women’s Youth World Championship.

One year later, they proved unbeatable at the W19 EHF EURO 2025 and lifted the title and now they are on a mission at the 2026 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, winning the first four matches in a row.

Germany are by far the best attack, with 162 goals scored, an average of 40,5 goals per match, while also conceding 85 goals, ranking them ninth in the best defence statistics. But where they excelled is in their experience and depth.

One of those experienced players is right wing Farrelle Njinkeu. The 19-year-old right wing has been getting ample playing time for her club, HSG Blomberg-Lippe, where she featured prominently in the title-winning campaign.

It was the maiden title for HSG Blomberg-Lippe and Njinkeu contributed mightily, scoring 56 goals, while also earning the “Rookie of the Year” award in the Bundesliga.

 

And now, she has been one of Germany’s most consistent players at the 2026 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, scoring 19 goals in the first four matches, with an absolutely fantastic scoring efficiency of 83%.

In fact, Njinkeu has missed only four shots, while also stealing four balls, drawing two suspensions and earning three penalties, great stats for a player who does not see the ball so much in attack.

“It is awesome to play against different teams, including European teams. As you can see, Korea plays a different kind of handball compared to, for example, France, Norway or Denmark, so it's really interesting to see how we can adapt to what they have to offer us, especially in defence and attack,” said Njinkeu after Germany’s dominant performance against the Republic of Korea, the runners-up of the 2025 AHF Asian Women’s Junior Championship, 40:22.

The junior national team is, obviously, the last step before the senior team, but Njinkeu has already made that step. She was part of the Germany women’s senior national team for a friendly match in March 2026, when she scored a goal against Slovenia.

She also benefits from the fact that the right wing position might be the Achilles’ heel for a well-rounded Germany team, as coach Markus Gaugisch only had a right wing in his roster at Germany/Netherlands 2025. And it probably also helps that Gaugisch is on site in Jinzhong, where he is the head of Germany’s delegation, to see first-hand how the future looks for the European side.

“I could never have dreamed that the debut for the senior team would come so soon. I think the team and everyone around me who supported me were a real driving force and lifted me up, so I'm very thankful for everyone who helped. I could never have imagined it would happen so fast. I'm really proud of myself and really happy about how it went,” said the right wing.

“It was so awesome. I cannot describe it. It was such a wonderful feeling to finally achieve a dream I had had for so long.”

But now, the business end at China 2026 starts. First, Germany are slated to play against Spain in the decider of their main round group, with the winner securing the first place and, at least in theory, avoid a stronger opponent.

Then, three matches are left in the knock-out phase for the world title, which would see Germany secure back-to-back trophies, first in Europe and then at the World Championship.

For Njinkeu, who was not part of the winning team at the W19 EHF EURO, it would be yet another confirmation that the way she is doing things is the right one.

 

“We are playing in the flow right now, and I think everyone is happy about the way we play. I'm just happy that we continue this flow that we have right now,” says the right wing.

But all the plaudits could not have come if the passion for handball was not there from the start.

“I think I was around 12 years old when I went to a sports school — a kind of academy — and that's where it really started, with the goal of reaching the national team and going further from there,” says Njinkeu.

“Actually, my mother played handball in Cameroon, where we come from, and she played for the national team. Then my sister started handball because of my mother. After school, we would always take her to training — we grew up in Germany — and I was always jealous and wanted to play and train with her. That's how it all started.”

It’s all small steps for Njinkeu in her quest to become the best.

“In the end, I want to win a lot of trophies and become the best on my position. I think it’s just normal,” concludes Njinkeu.