09.10.2012, 03:10
A lot of work ahead for Germany

Two test matches against Czech Republic showed where the team needs to put in some extra efforts two months out of the EHF EURO 2012

A lot of work ahead for Germany

The two test matches against Czech Republic last week, the first ending in loss, the second in a win, have pointed out that a lot of work lies ahead of Germany with just two months to go until the 2012 EHF EURO in Serbia.

“We have performed far away from an international level,” said German head coach Heine Jensen who was anything but happy after the two tests.

His team showed a very weak performance at Most (Czech Republic) where they lost 23:30 before improving only a little on home court and winning the second encounter 29:20 in what was also the farewell match for Grit Jurack.

“We have a lot of tasks ahead, but unfortunately we did not have our full squad to test,” Jensen said.

Key players like Isabell Klein, Stefanie Melbeck or Anna Loerper missed those tests as well as talents like Friederike Lütz or Kim Birke. So Jensen was forced to improvise a lot by nominating debutants or young players to fill the gaps.

The Germans did not play well-rehearsed due to this constellation against an opponent who showed their highest level of handball on home ground, but then were without a chance in Leipzig.

The task for Jensen to find an EHF EURO squad has not become any easier, as he is still looking for the right mixture of experienced and young players. Talented Lone Fischer played well, but has to show more consistent performances.

After missing the Main Round at an EHF EURO for the first time ever in 2010 and ranking only 17th at the World Championship in Brazil, the Germans need to show a sign of life in Serbia.

And Jensen has only two tests against Romania ahead (24 and 25 November) to nominate his squad. “We have no excuses for the performances against the Czech Republic. We have to increase our performing level enormously,” he said.

His team face 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Spain, Croatia and Hungary in the Preliminary Round in Novi Sad, Serbia.

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TEXT: Björn Pazen / ts