The cheers of national team newcomer David Späth could be heard in every corner even in the Munich Olympic Hall, which was sold out with over 10,000 people.
The handball goalkeeper celebrated his brilliant deeds in the victory over Egypt the loudest by far. In a dramatic final phase, the U21 world champion became the match winner. And national coach Alfred Gislason now faces a tricky decision: Who will guard the German goal at the home European Championships in January – veteran Andreas Wolff or his young challenger?
In the last week of the course, Späth was mainly supposed to get a bit of a taste of the big guys. The goalkeeper from the Rhein-Neckar Löwen arrived as number 3 behind the recovered Wolff and handball veteran Silvio Heinevetter, and he started the journey home as at least number 2. After his successful international debut in the first duel with the African champions, Späth was allowed to start between the posts two days later – and impressed again.
“The boy is a huge talent”
“The boy is a huge talent and someone who can create a good atmosphere,” Gislason praised the 21-year-old, who became the team’s support after the DHB selection collapsed in the final phase. “Being substituted in crunch time makes me proud. I wanted to repay this trust with performance. I’m glad that I managed to do that quite well,” said Späth.
After just two international matches, the impulsive goalkeeper is more than just a replacement for top dog Wolff. The young star has developed into a serious competitor – and has clearly overshadowed the veteran Heinevetter. “Overall, he sold very well,” said Gislason and immediately added: “But we also know what we have in Andi.”
In the end it wasn’t much. The 32-year-old world-class goalkeeper suffered a herniated disc in the summer and only celebrated his brief comeback in the first Egypt game. “He is pain-free. He says himself that he lacks the speed that he normally has. But that will come in the next two months,” reported Gislason, who left Wolff on the bench on Sunday.
European Championship nomination before Christmas
The home European Championships will take place from January 10th to 28th, 2024. When Wolff is 100 percent fit, he is number 1 in goal. At least that was the plan so far. Then came Späth. “He made important saves. If you see how he performed at the U21 World Cup, that can be a factor for the European Championship,” said teammate Lukas Mertens. Playmaker Juri Knorr attested to Späth’s “enormous presence, strong physicality and the necessary instinct.”
The competition for places in the European Championship squad is perhaps greatest between the posts. “The European Championship is the goal. You can always dream. I know that there is still a long way to go,” said Späth about his hope for a nomination. Shortly before Christmas, Gislason wants to announce his squad, which should consist of around 18 players.
Until then, Späth acts as a reserved apprentice to Wolff and Heinevetter. “I want to follow a similar path to them, so I’m learning as much as possible,” reported the newcomer to the DHB team. He also got new input from Wolff on Sunday. The 2016 European champion spoke, Späth listened intently. But there could soon be a role reversal.
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