Overview
- Germany face Croatia in two pre-EM tests to sharpen intensity and simulate hostile conditions, playing Thursday in Zagreb at 20:30 CET and Sunday in Hannover at 18:00 CET, both on ARD.
- All German group matches are set for Herning: Austria on Jan 15, Serbia on Jan 17 and Spain on Jan 19, each with a 20:30 start.
- Tournament format sends the top two from each of six groups to the main round with carried-over points, where likely opponents for Germany could include Denmark, France, Norway and Portugal.
- Coach Alfred Gíslason named an 18-player squad blending experience with four debutants, led by captain Johannes Golla and anchored by goalkeeper Andreas Wolff alongside Jannik Kohlbacher.
- Separately, the Men's Indoor Hockey European Championship runs Jan 8–11 in Heidelberg, where Germany enter as favorites and the venue accommodates about 4,400 spectators per day.