Will the German global dominance continue or end in Chengdu?

Having dominated global beach handball in recent years with numerous European and World titles, plus The World Games Birmingham 2022 title, Germany’s women slipped down the podium to third at the European Championships in July.

Such is the standard set by Alexander Novakovic’s team in recent years, some would have seen a bronze as a shock, but his side did well to bounce back from their semi-final defeat disappointment to take a 2-1 (23:18, 18:20, SO 10:8) win over Netherlands and ensure yet another medal.

After the game Novakovic acknowledged the pressure that the perennial winners now face.

“It was really difficult this year because our opponents are putting even more pressure on us,” he said to German media. “The bronze medal almost feels like more. We're now flying to the World Games with a great feeling, which is really important.” He had earlier remarked that their quarter-final clash against Greece was “...a tough match like I've never experienced before,” perhaps highlighting that target on their back and the general, overall quality improvement of the teams they have faced.

Novakovic can take a lot of credit for that, not only from his coaching, but also from his academic work and work away from competition which has shown the complementary nature of beach towards its indoor discipline.

And Novakovic has been busy in competition too, overseeing two European titles and two World titles since taking the reins in 2018, he also won The World Games title in 2022 – all without losing games https://www.ihf.info/media-center/news/germany-women-are-invincible , a streak unlikely to ever be repeated.

The 41-year-old from Munich, who is an air traffic controller, is well-aware of the threat his Chengdu 2025 preliminary group poses – with Asian champions Vietnam, European champions Spain and ANOC World Beach Games champions Denmark all ready to defeat his side.

“The World Games 2025, with their modified qualifying format, are certainly the strongest tournament in the last 20 years – the preliminary group shows only top-class players,” he said.

“Spain are certainly the strongest opponent with and form and nuances will decide the day. Denmark is also expected to be very strong; their matches in recent years have always been extremely close, often ending in shoot-outs. Vietnam are not a big unknown, but as Asian champions, with a different playing philosophy, they are also interesting.

“We have to prepare well and approach each game as a knockout game. For spectators and fans, the tournament will certainly be extremely interesting and exciting from game one.”

Novakovic has named a squad with a blend of youth and experience with youngsters Emma Pilz (16 years old) and Pauline Borrmann (17) appearing in their first big, international tournament and 35-year-old goalkeeper Nele Kurzke, who only appeared in her first big beach handball tournament last year, at the 2024 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship.

The event last year in China also saw Germany defeat Chengdu 2025 group rivals Denmark, in the semi-finals (2-1) – although they lost to them 2-0 in the main round – and Spain 2-1, in the quarter-finals.

“The World Games is the highest reachable event for us in beach handball and it is so special because of the four-year cycle,” added Novakovic. “But, this period in the German handball calendar with the event starting a few days before the indoor leagues, was challenging [for squad selection].”

Captaining the squad will be Kirsten Walter, while Lucie Kretzschmar is one of the most visible players in the world of beach handball. She carried the German flag at the closing ceremony of The World Games Birmingham 2022 and is nominated to be flag-bearer in 2025.

Gold at the last edition of The World Games was Germany’s second medal after they won silver in 2001. Their second appearance followed in 2005, where they finished fifth, and they would wait another 17 years until appearing at the event again.

Coach: Alexander Novakovic
Key players: Lucie Kretzschmar (Defender), Lena Klinger (Left Wing), Nele Kurzke (Goalkeeper)
Qualification information: 1st – 2024 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship
History in tournament: 2001: 2nd, 2005: 5th, 2009-2017: DNQ, 2022: 1st
Group at The World Games Chengdu 2025: Group A – Vietnam, Spain, Germany, Denmark