Germany stick to what they know for test in Romania

After a strong performance at the EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia, which saw them progress to the Main Round and eventually ranking seventh overall, Germany’s women’s team now hope to qualify for Serbia again, but this time for the World Championship in December.

Danish born coach Heine Jensen will see his team face fellow EHF EURO 2012 participant Ukraine in the play-offs in June.

In preparation for the important fixtures, Germany will compete at the Carpathian Trophy in Romania on 22-24 March and will see the tournament as a perfect test.

Germany will face Romania A and B as well as 2012 Olympic bronze medallists Spain in Craiova.

“Those matches are good opportunities to become well-balanced for the tough qualification matches against Ukraine,” German head coach Jensen said.

To underline the significance of this friendly tournament for his team, Jensen nominated his best available squad for the Carpathian Trophy.

14 of the 16 players were part of the EHF EURO 2012 team, only Anna Loerper and Friderike Lütz are not among the nominees, their places have been taken by Susann Müller and team captain Isabell Klein, both of whom missed the EHF EURO due to hand injuries.

Germany squad for the Carpat Trophy in Romania 22-24 March:

Goalkeepers: Clara Woltering (Buducnost Podgorica/MNE), Katja Schülke (HC Leipzig)

Wingers: Marlene Zapf (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Isabell Klein (Buxtehuder SV), Natalie Augsburg (HC Leipzig), Angie Geschke (Vag Vipers Kristiansand/NOR)

Back court: Laura Steinbach (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Nadja Nadgornaja (Thüringer HC), Saskia Lang (HC Leipzig), Susann Müller (RK Krim Ljubljana/SLO), Anne Hubinger (HC Leipzig), Kerstin Wohlbold (Thüringer HC), Kim Naidzinavicius (TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Christine Beier (Frankfurter HC)

Line players: Anne Müller (HC Leipzig), Anja Althaus (Thüringer HC)