Learning from the best is crucial for players who are just starting their professional careers, therefore pieces of advice from former stalwarts could be exactly the missing piece of the puzzle, which could really influence some of them in those important moments.

Therefore, five German up-and-coming players, who are part of the junior and youth women’s national teams, made the trip to Granollers, to experience the final weekend of the 25th IHF Women’s World Championship, attending the semi-finals and the last two games at Spain 2021.

Dana Bleckmann, the 20-year-old left back who has already made her debut in the DELO EHF Champions League and in the German Bundesliga for champions BV Borussia 09 Dortmund, and four 17-year-old players – Rebecca Rott, Viola Leuchter, Nieke Kuhne and Matilda Ehlert – were also part of an informal workshop, held by IHF Executive Committee Member Narcisa Lecusanu and IHF Treasurer Anna Rapp.

The two IHF officials took turns in offering precious career advice in the one-hour workshop organised in the Palau d’Esports Granollers, offering first-hand insights regarding their start in handball, the career paths they took, how to approach important decisions in the sport and how to prepare for the career after retirement.

A Q&A section followed, as the two speakers were put on the spot by the five German players with regards to their biggest disappointments in their careers, how they overcame those moments, but also how to thrive when success comes knocking at your door.

“Every time you can inspire a player to be better, you must do it, sharing the stories you had in your career. These moments are exciting for us former players, because handball is a sport that is in continued development and new players are always trying to be better and enter this beautiful world,” said Lecusanu.