After a 16-year hiatus, Germany women’s senior national team returns to the Olympic Games, after finishing 11th at Beijing 2008. It was a long wait, but also a long time coming for Germany, who have been one of the most improved and consistent teams in the world over the past few years.

At the IHF Women’s World Championship, Germany finished eighth at Japan 2019, seventh at Spain 2021 and sixth at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023, while ending up on the seventh place at both the EHF EURO 2020 and at the EHF EURO 2022. 

With a young team that have matured over the past years, Germany have always been a dangerous opponent for any other side in the world, as they secured six wins in December at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, the largest number of wins since 2007, when they secured the bronze medal.

The culmination of this growth will be the appearance at Paris 2024, where Germany aim to consolidate their place between the top teams in the world. With only four appearances so far in the competition, Germany do not have the largest experience, but with a strong core, tried and tested in the past years, they surely hope to outdo their previous performances.

However, they proved to be a strong team in the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament #3, which they hosted in Neu-Ulm, punching their Paris 2024 ticket with three wins, 31:25 against Slovenia, 28:24 against Montenegro and 37:20 against Paraguay, dominating in all matches.

As that core hits its prime, with players like Xenia Smits, Emily Bölk, Alina Grijseels or Julia Maidhof, Germany look set to deliver a good performance, having the right mix between attack and defence, plus already more than two years under coach Markus Gaugisch, who took over in April 2022.

"Our expectations for the second preparation phase currently underway in Kienbaum have been fulfilled one hundred percent so far. We are on the right track and will have answers for every opponent in Paris," said Germany’s coach, Markus Gaugisch. 

At Paris 2024, Germany will face some strong opponents, including four other European teams – Norway, Slovenia, Sweden and Denmark. While they beat Slovenia in April, 31:25, this will surely be a totally different match, in different circumstances, as every match in Paris will be crucial.

Germany will also face Sweden, who they did not have an answer against back in December, conceding a loss in the quarter-finals of the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, as well as the Republic of Korea, a plucky Asian side, who excel at the Olympic Games, making it a tough competition for the four quarter-finals berths to Lille.

Germany

Coach: Markus Gaugisch

Key Players: Emily Bölk (left back), Alina Grijseels (centre back), Xenia Smits (left back)

Qualification for Paris 2024: Olympic Qualification Tournament #3: 1st place

Previous appearances: 1984: 4th, 1992: 4th, 1996: 6th, 2008: 11th 

Group at Paris 2024: Group A: Norway, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, Republic of Korea