Fancy the Olympics: Emily Bölk (m.) and national coach Markus Gaugisch (3rd from right) at the last test against Brazil
Photo: imago/press photo Baumann
The Olympic Games in Paris open on Friday, but things start earlier for the German handball players. This Thursday they will score goals in an Olympic tournament for the first time since 2008 against South Korea. Since the current national team players weren’t there at the time, it’s no wonder that they thought less about their first opponents in the run-up to the games and more about what was coming up a day later: »The opening ceremony was a big topic in the team . You have to weigh up your participation because you’ll be standing around a lot. There is no time for regeneration and preparation for the next game,” reported backcourt ace Emily Bölk about discussions in the team. In the end, each player should decide for themselves what is best for them.
Bölk has at least a small advantage in experience over her colleagues: her mother Andrea took part in the Olympics twice in the 1990s. “She took part both times and told me: ‘If it’s at all possible, you have to experience it.’ For her it was a unique feeling to run in with the other athletes. Something like that can give you inspiration,” said Emily Bölk. “So I think I’ll be there and soak it all up.”
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But her mother also told her that you still have to try to stay focused on the competition, because the Olympic experience can overwhelm you. “Some of them probably didn’t manage to always go to bed on time back then,” reported the 26-year-old. “She told interesting stories, and I’m now curious to see whether that will match my experiences or whether a lot has changed in the last few years.”
During the weeks of preparation, Bölk’s colleagues also heard from some experienced Olympic participants “that at their premiere they first had to learn how to deal with the village, the many other athletes and everything else,” reported goalkeeper Katharina Filter. However, she doesn’t want to isolate herself, but rather enjoy the spirit of the games: “I also want to visit other competitions and cheer on the German athletes there.”
Captain Alina Grijseels and Bölk will make sure that no one overdoes it, because “the memories you take with you from the Olympics will mainly be associated with the sporting performance,” says Bölk. Your own sport should therefore be in the foreground. “We don’t go to the Olympics as tourists with the self-image that we will definitely come back,” said Grijseels, recalling the long German break at the Games. »We want to be successful. It’s not enough for us just to be there at the Olympics.”
National coach Markus Gaugisch had exemplified this attitude early on since qualification was achieved in mid-April. “Back then it only took me three minutes until I said again that I wanted to do something at the Olympics,” Gaugisch told “nd”. “You just long for the duels in which you can win something.” However, reaching that fight for medals will be difficult. At the most recent World and European Championships, four teams were consistently at the top: Norway, Denmark, Sweden and France. Gaugisch’s team will meet all three Scandinavian medal contenders in the preliminary round.
Since the top four make it to the quarterfinals, a lot depends on the opener against South Korea. »This is an unpleasant opponent. The players are always very lively, especially at the beginning of a tournament, so we have to be in top athletic shape and wide awake at every moment,” said Bölk. The Slovenians will also fight for a place in the knockout round, but the German team had it well under control in the Olympic qualification. »We know that we have to leave two teams behind us to achieve our goal. “It’s a tough task, but I’m convinced we can do it,” said Bölk.
At least the dress rehearsal last Sunday was a success: the German women won against Brazil 27:20 (14:8) and thus took revenge for a defeat from the previous week. In between, Hungary was also narrowly defeated with 30:29. Both teams could be Germany’s quarter-final opponents at the Olympics.
If they make it to the last eight, the handball players would have to move from Paris to Lille. From there the distance to the medal suddenly becomes very short. “A quarter-final is only 60 minutes long and anything can happen,” said national coach Gaugisch. He knows this from mostly negative experience so far. At the World Championships, the German handball players failed twice in this round after a good start – mostly due to their own nerves. »We have analyzed this and have already shown at the Olympic qualification that we can be very calm. “That gives us self-confidence,” said Captain Grijseels, recently recognizing improvements in this area.
Like many of her teammates, she also recently gained valuable experience in top international clubs. »I was able to compete with the best players in the world every day in training in Metz and often in the Champions League. That helps me to believe in my own strength,” said Grijseels, who moved to France a year ago and immediately won the championship and cup there. Even though she will move on to Bucharest for the new season, “France is not the worst place for me so far. I wouldn’t mind if it continued like this.” So a third title? The Olympic victory would then complete a very special triple.
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