German Handball Team Faces Illness Setbacks Ahead of World Championship

Four players are recovering from non-serious illnesses, with the full squad expected to assemble in Hamburg by Monday for final preparations.

The German national handball team is preparing for the World Championship, starting January 15 in Herning, Denmark, with an opening match against Poland.
Four key players—Franz Semper, Julian Köster, Renars Uscins, and Nils Lichtlein—are currently absent due to minor illnesses but are expected to join the team by Monday.
Coach Alfred Gislason emphasized prioritizing players' full recovery to maintain the overall health of the team during the tournament preparations.
Two test matches against Brazil are scheduled in Hamburg and Flensburg next week, providing final opportunities to refine strategies before traveling to Denmark on January 13.
Germany aims to top Group A, which includes Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland, with a strong chance to reach the quarterfinals and potentially contend for the title.