Injuries and Fatigue Challenge Germany Ahead of Handball EM Qualifiers

The German national team faces Austria twice this week with a depleted squad, aiming to secure a top seed for the 2026 European Championship.

Germany's handball team is grappling with significant injuries, including the absences of Justus Fischer, Jannik Kohlbacher, and Franz Semper, ahead of EM qualifiers against Austria.
Key player Juri Knorr has traveled to Vienna despite illness, but his participation in the first game remains uncertain.
The team is stretched thin after a demanding schedule, including the January World Championship and ongoing league matches, leaving players fatigued and vulnerable to injuries.
Coach Alfred Gislason has called up less-experienced players, such as Miro Schluroff and Tim Freihöfer, to fill critical gaps in the roster.
Germany leads its qualification group and aims to secure first place, which guarantees a favorable seeding for the 2026 European Championship in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.