Ready for another German summer fairy tale

Christian Schwarzer was one of the key players in Germany’s ‘golden generation’, winning the World Championship in 2007, the EHF EURO in 2004 and Olympic silver in 2004.

Like some other players of this exceptionally successful team – such as Markus Baur who last week led the German junior team to gold at the Men’s 20 EHF EURO, Christian, nicknamed ‘Blacky’,  became a handball coach.

From 14 August onwards, the former world class line player will be in charge for the German team at the Men’s 18 EHF EURO in Poland, where his team faces the hosts, Belarus and Czech Republic in the preliminary round in Gdynia.

After the German women’s (fourth place in Croatia) and men’s junior teams (gold in Austria) as well as the women’s youth (silver in FYR Macedonia) team have reached the semi-finals of younger age category European or World Championships this summer, Schwarzer’s boys are motivated to continue the German summer fairy tale.

eurohandball.com: On Sunday the final part of your EHF EURO preparation starts in Berlin. Are you by satisfied so far with the way your team has been preparing for the event?

Christian Schwarzer: In general I am, but at the moment we are hit by a series of injured left-handed players. But I’m confident that we have enough options and alternatives in our squad of 16 players. But I really hope that no more injuries occur until the start of the event.

eurohandball.com: Last Sunday the German Men’s under-20 – the team you coached in their youth period – became European champions. Is this trophy the right motivation for your team to go all the way, too?

Christian Schwarzer: This gold medal and the silver medal of our under-18 girls at the world championship half an hour before were the ideal motivation for our team. We want to go as far as possible in Poland.

eurohandball.com: Is there any clear goal for the EHF EURO?

Christian Schwarzer: The boys announced their own target, which is the same the German Handball Federation announces prior to every younger age category tournament – making it at least to the semi-finals.

The most important match on this way will be the opener of the preliminary round against Poland. Then we will see if the teams of the other group, who are said to be the favourites, make it to the main round. Due to the EURO playing system everything is possible. But our main goal remains reaching the semis.

eurohandball.com: You mentioned the opener – how do you rate Poland, Belarus and Czech Republic, the three teams you play against in the group phase?

Christian Schwarzer: The first match is the indicator for the rest of the tournament. There’s nothing better for our boys than starting against the hosts of an event in a packed arena. Hence our full focus in the preparation is on this match. Against Belarus and the Czechs you can win or lose – two more matches in which the form on the day will be decisive.

eurohandball.com: How big is your share in the gold medal of the U20 team in Austria?

Christian Schwarzer: We were a team of coaches including Klaus-Dieter Petersen, who led this team to the U18 EURO gold medal two years ago, Markus Baur and me. In general this team had an incredible quality thanks to players like Yves Kunkel, Tim Suton, Simon Ernst, Fabian Wiede, Paul Drux or the goalkeepers.

They have already proven their strength in the Bundesliga last season – and it was obvious that on their way to the title they could only beat themselves.

eurohandball.com: For the development of the younger age category teams how important is the fact that all of you coaches played together in the men’s national team?

Christian Schwarzer: We share the same idea of handball and we can pass those ideas to the young players. So it’s very helpful that we were part of the same men’s national team.

eurohandball.com: All three German younger age category teams – male and female – have at least reached the semi-finals at World and European Championships in the previous weeks – is this the ‘summer of the Germans’?

Christian Schwarzer: You re right by mentioning only the younger age categories... But in general it is correct and we are the last team to continue on this way. My players worked so hard so I hope that they can reward themselves in Poland.

Tournament information

The Men’s 28 EHF EURO takes place in the Polish cities of Gdynia and Gdansk from 14 to 24 August 2014. For more information visit the official website and the event's Facebook page.

During the tournament eurohandball.com and the EHF EURO Facebook page will also feature regular reports, features and photo galleries.

Austria hosted the Men’s 18 EHF EURO 2012. Back then Germany won, Sweden came second and Denmark placed third.