Overview

• Germany secured a 7th-place finish at the 2024 European Handball Championship after a decisive 35:16 victory over Slovenia in their final match.
• The team consistently outperformed weaker opponents but failed to challenge top-tier teams like Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, losing each of those matchups by significant margins.
• DHB President Andreas Michelmann attributed the lack of progress to 20 years of structural neglect within German handball, calling for systemic changes to close the gap with leading nations.
• The upcoming 2025 World Championship, co-hosted by Germany and the Netherlands, is seen as an opportunity to leverage home advantage and aim for a semifinal appearance, though expectations remain cautious.
• Efforts to improve include expanding the domestic league and focusing on player development, but officials acknowledge that meaningful progress may require more time and resources.