Two medals, both squads qualified for the World Championships on the way to the 2024 Olympic Games – nevertheless, after the European Championships in Antalya, the German Gymnastics Federation (DTB) is not all glorious.
The bronze medals of the once again impeccable Elisabeth Seitz on the uneven bars and the courageous European Championship newcomer Milan Hosseini on the floor could not cover up the weak points, especially in the women’s field.
“We’re on track, but there’s still a lot to do. Ninth place among women isn’t our goal. The analysis is already underway. We’re going home and we know what needs to be done,” said DTB sports director Thomas Gutekunst and announced detailed analyses.
Olympic starting places are awarded at the World Championships
While the men were on target with fifth place in the team competition even without the German all-around champion Lukas Dauser (Unterhaching), who is still in advanced training, the women fell short of expectations. Above all, the immense gap of almost seven points to third place also alarmed national coach Gerben Wiersma. “I would be worried if it were like that at the World Cup, where it’s about qualifying for the Olympics,” said the Dutchman with a view to the World Championships in Antwerp in autumn. There the starting places for the Olympics in Paris will be allocated.
Gutekunst is confident that the level can be raised by then – as requested by Wiersma. “I am confident that we will then show a different face in the team in Antwerp, especially in the women’s area. We have already shown a very good team competition with the men,” said the sports director and added forgivingly: “We have heights We had some ups and downs. Especially the two medals, but also the performance of Pascal Brendel in the all-around final let us go home satisfied.” The only 19-year-old Pascal Brendel from Wetzlar had fought for a strong eighth place in the all-around at his European Championship debut.
