Group A: Debutants vs Experienced

15 Jan. 2021

Group A: Debutants vs Experienced

The opening day of Group A at the 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship in Egypt sees two first-timers take on two traditional, European handball nations.

Germany vs Uruguay 19:00 CAT

These two teams have never met in any competition, but for the South Americans it will be an historic day as they make their bow at world championship level and confirm handball as the only team sport in the country to have seen both men’s and women’s national teams qualify through to senior World Championships.

It is a daunting task for Uruguay coach Jorge Botejara, who admitted that the Germans – and the subsequent clash against Hungary – are “beyond our capabilities”, but, like their third and final match opponents Cape Verde, he will be targeting that game for a win which will likely see the victors book a ticket through to the main round.

Botejara’s players include a handful playing in Spain and Italy as well as those who have also gained additional international experience with the Uruguay beach handball team. 

Germany suffered heartbreak at the last IHF Men’s World Championship, losing the bronze medal match at the 2019 tournament hosted by both Germany and Denmark, and they will be keen to go at least one better in Egypt. 

They are led by the vastly experienced and successful coach Alfred Gislason who is looking forward to his first world championship game with the nation and the chance to test his team of superstars, led by Uwe Gensheimer, against the team from South America. 

“Even though I've been a coach for 30 years, I feel tense before every game. But I'm also really happy that it's finally getting started,” he said to German media ahead of the game. “Uruguay plays a slightly different handball than we are used to, with a robust and agile 6-0 defence, a good goalkeeper and extremely long attacks – we have to be patient in attack.”

Hungary vs Cape Verde 21:30 CAT

“None of the national teams should be underestimated, most of the players in the Cape Verde team are playing in Europe and their national team is not playing bad handball – we need to be prepared for them.”

These were the comments from Hungarian coach István Gulyás on the eve of their first-ever clash with the African side, who are in Egypt after impressing at the 2020 CAHB Men’s African Championship – where they finished fifth on their debut appearance after receiving a wild card.

“It is a unique opportunity for the careers of these talented Cape Verde players,” said their coach Jose Tomas on what he wants to achieve at Egypt 2021. “With our qualification, these players now have greater demands on them and responsibility for the development of handball in the country.”

Despite appearing at all but six of the IHF Men’s World Championships, Hungary have only a solitary medal to their name, a silver won in 1986, and they will be looking to get off to the best possible start with a rotation of their squad and no injuries.

The pressure is in and comes from above, from legendary Hungarian player László Nagy, now Vice-President of the Hungarian Handball Federation – who has experience playing in Egypt.

“The goal of the board for the national team is to finish in the top eight,” said Nagy ahead of the championship. “My first World Championship was in Egypt in 1999, but a lot of time has passed since then, and our sport and Egypt has developed a lot, I hope we will be more successful now and really be in the top eight.”