Rune Dahmke is something like the longest-serving student of the teacher. No other German national player has such a strong connection to Alfred Gislason as the native of Kiel, and none has worked with him for longer. In 2014, Dahmke made his Bundesliga debut under the bank boss at THW Kiel, and together they became German champions, cup winners and EHF cup winners. And together they now want to be successful at the Handball World Championships in Poland and Sweden. “It’s amazing how long Alfred has been sitting there, and only now is it the first tournament where he can really work,” said Dahmke in an interview with WELT after the 37:21 victory over Algeria in the last group game.
Because of three tournaments in which the national coach, who has been installed since February 2020, had to struggle with corona cases and cancellations, everyone is happy that sport is finally in the foreground in these global title fights. “Alfred is just as happy to be here as we are,” said the left winger. “It is simply a very pleasant working with him. We are all incredibly keen to celebrate success here. You notice that in every training session, with every meal or when you sit together. It is really fun. Anyone can get along with anyone, and Alfred fits in well with that.”
Four goals in five tries: Rune Dahmke in the game against Algeria
Quelle: Agencja Wyborcza.pl via REUTERS
So far, the harmonious team structure with the 63-year-old leader Gislason has worked so well that the German national team has entered the main round with the maximum number of points after winning three preliminary rounds. There is now a showdown with Argentina this Thursday (6 p.m., in the WELT sports ticker), the Netherlands (Saturday, 8.30 p.m.) and Norway around Dahmke’s world-class club colleague Sander Sagosen (Monday, 8.30 p.m.).
Since Gislason’s team takes the results from the games against the nations that have also qualified for the next round, the selection starts the main round with 4:0 points. There was a 31:27 against Qatar at the start, followed by a 34:33 victory against Serbia. A strong starting position in order to reach the self-formulated minimum goal – reaching the quarter-finals. “We’ve been improving all month and making fewer and fewer mistakes,” Gislason said after part one of the tournament. “I am extremely satisfied. It’s often the case that when you win your first two games, everyone slows down. But the team didn’t do that, and that makes me very proud of the character of the team.”
Tactic studies and a small celebration
The fact that there was no drop in performance against the second-class Algerians is also due to the composition of the squad. Everyone wants to show themselves at the World Cup, each of the 16 players used so far is important. And everyone can rely on the advice of the national coach. A year ago at the European Championships, 18 corona cases appeared in the German camp, which made joint meetings and a normal course of the tournament impossible, Gislason can now finally do what characterizes a good coach: design tactical studies of the opponents, together with the Have team video sessions and give the motivator.
Close ties: Rune Dahmke (left) and national coach Alfred Gislason
What: picture alliance / SVEN SIMON
On and off the field, as evidenced by a joint meal in a restaurant in Katowice after the game against Algeria. “We celebrated the group victory a bit and got a meal from the presidency,” reported Johannes Golla on Wednesday afternoon. “It’s a good working relationship between the coach and the team at the moment,” said the captain. “Alfred is quite satisfied because he sees that we implement what he gives us. He is just as relieved as we all are that what we set out to do is working.”
However, the whole thing is just a stopover. “If we were satisfied now, then we would be in the wrong place,” said Golla. “We haven’t achieved much at the moment. We’re in the main round now and we want to show in the next few games that we can play good handball. Of course, Alfred continues to work meticulously on the game preparations.”
Gislason has already drawn up a plan for strengths and weaknesses for the first opponent in the main round. “Argentina has a different way of playing handball,” said the national coach. “Nevertheless relatively European, because many players play in Europe. It’s a very passionate team, very agile, very good man to man and fast on their feet. It’s a team that we will take very seriously. We absolutely want to win this game as well.”
Clear route
Although handball tends to lead a niche existence in South America, Argentina has gradually built up a really strong team in recent years. Led by the Simonet brothers Diego, 33, and Pablo, 30, the team is characterized by clean and technically good handball. At the 2021 World Cup, the selection ended up in eleventh place – one place ahead of Germany. Nevertheless, the route is clear this time. “Argentina, you have to win this. I think that’s our aim,” said Dahmke. “After that, a nice whirlwind will come our way with the Netherlands, which is not easy to defend. And then of course you have a homemade name with Norway.”
Especially for himself: Dahmke is in a relationship with the Norwegian world-class handball player Stine Bredal Oftedal, who in turn is the sister-in-law of superstar Sagosen. There will be a small “family duel” at the end of the main round. “I’m looking forward to that, they’re always nice games,” said the 29-year-old. “There is a bit of trash talk when you meet in the hotel. But as long as we are not on the field for 60 minutes, everything is very nice and nice.”
Like Germany, Norway starts the main round with 4-0 points. If both teams win their games before Monday’s game, they are both qualified for the quarter-finals before kick-off. It wouldn’t be the worst of conditions – for Dahmke, who was there when a German team won the last title, the 2016 European Championship triumph. And for Sagosen, who has “only” won two silver medals and one bronze medal with his selection.
