Goalkeeper Silvio Heinevetter returns to the national handball team after two years. Three days before his 39th birthday, the goalkeeper from Bundesliga club TVB Stuttgart was nominated for the 19-man squad by national coach Alfred Gislason and is expected to go into the two international matches against Egypt on November 3rd and 5th as number 1.
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At the same time, Gislason had to cope with a personnel setback for the home European Championships next January: circle runner and defense specialist Hendrik Pekeler from THW Kiel canceled his participation in the tournament. “I’m not yet back in the necessary shape to be able to really help Alfred and the team,” said the 32-year-old in a statement distributed by the German Handball Federation (DHB) on Wednesday.
The games against African champions Egypt on November 3rd (6:35 p.m.) in Neu-Ulm and on November 5th (5:15 p.m.) at Handball Day in Munich are the national team’s first tests with a view to the European Championships. “The days in Munich and the international matches against Egypt will be extremely important, because from now on it’s about the foundation for the European Championship. Everyone has to get to know their role and fill it one hundred percent,” said Gislason.
The Icelander is also relying on Heinevetter, who played his last of 204 international matches in autumn 2021. The veteran will form a team with U21 world champion David Späth from the Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Regular goalkeeper Andreas Wolff (Kielce) was also nominated, but according to DHB information he is still in rehab after an injury. “I would therefore like to bring further security and experience to the goalkeeping team with Silvio Heinevetter, who is showing strong form in the league,” explained the national coach.
