National Coach Tasks: Countdown to Kick-Off

The time needs to be well spent. Because the days on which national handball coach Markus Gaugisch can gather his players around him for training before the first game of the World Championship against Iceland is scheduled in his own country on November 26th at 6 p.m. are rare. “Five training sessions this week,” says the 51-year-old in an interview with the editorial network Germany (RND). “And when we meet in Schaffhausen to prepare for the World Cup, we’ll have five again.” Ten times 90 to 120 minutes – then it’s kick-off in the Stuttgart Porsche Arena.

Gaugisch then uses the time between breakfast and the team meeting in the team quarters for an interview. Even if the vacuum cleaner is still running in the background. “Can you still hear me well?” Yes, you can get started.

Favorites against North Macedonia and Belgium

The courses before such a highlight are well-paced. Especially if there are still two competitive games to play, as is the case with the German women’s national handball team. This Thursday (7:30 p.m., DF1) North Macedonia comes to Gummersbach, three days later there is an away game (1:45 p.m.) in Hasselt, Belgium. It’s about the first four points in the European Championship qualification.

But the home tournament from this November is significantly closer than the European Championships at the end of 2026 in Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Turkey. Gaugisch is not bothered by the fact that the preparation for the World Cup is being thwarted by two qualifying games for the European Championship. “We’ve had six games against three top nations since March. We didn’t try anything, we just wanted to win,” he says. “Nothing is more important for the team than a winning mentality. That’s why it doesn’t matter whether there are points for a game or not.”

In contrast to the tests mentioned, in the home and away games against France (two defeats), Denmark (the away team won each time) and the Netherlands (35:31 for Oranje and 27:22 for the DHB selection), Germany is now going into the race as favorites. Gaugisch is relying on a squad that has only been slightly modified compared to the two most recent matches.

Only Nina Engel is missing – due to injury. The 22-year-old backcourt player (HSG Bensheim/Auerbach Flames) is suffering from a foot injury. “She’s not fit for this week yet,” explains Gaugisch, “but that should only take a few days if the healing progresses normally.” Participation in the World Cup does not seem to be in jeopardy for the left-hander. Luisa Scherer (24) from Frisch Auf! Göppingen – from Gaugisch’s birthplace – slipped into the 19-man squad.

“Over 60 minutes and in every situation”

In addition to solidifying the winning gene, the DHB coach has further plans: “We still have room for improvement in every area.” For example, he envisions a more dynamic defense, “not being so passive at the back. I want us to defend actively. And that over 60 minutes and in every situation.”

The time in Gummersbach was titled “tempo game”. “We didn’t focus on that in the previous courses,” he says and adds: “We also want to establish a different system with four backcourt players. That’s different than in the clubs. Not everyone plays that yet in the female area. That looked very promising recently against Denmark and in September against the Netherlands.”

And off the record? The subject of TV rights is a bit on the trainer’s stomach. Sporteurope.tv has the exclusive broadcast rights for the World Cup. It is not certain whether viewers will be able to watch the games on linear TV. “That’s a shame,” admits Gaugisch. “The handball bubble knows where to look. But we have to make sure that we inspire children and families who are outside of this circle. It would be great if this were freely accessible. I hope it will be clarified.”