Forget the World Cup debacle
Germany eight fights against Olympic nightmare
09/04/2023, 3:55 p.m
Things will get serious for the Germany eight at the World Cup on Tuesday. Even the first Olympic exit since 2000 is imminent. Five places for next summer’s games are now being allocated. A debacle like a year ago, when the eight missed the World Cup final for the first time in 23 years, must not be repeated.
It’s going to be hot for the Germany eight, and not just because of the blazing sun: up to 30 degrees are expected when the flagship of the German Rowing Association (DRV) competes in the prelims at the World Championships in Belgrade on Tuesday. But the threat of a cold shower is more worrying than the heat, as the German parade boat could miss the Olympic Games for the first time since 2000.
Five tickets for Paris will be awarded in Serbia. A “drowning” like a year ago, when the eight missed the World Cup final for the first time in 23 years, is therefore prohibited. An Olympic exit is “always in the back of our minds after last year,” admitted batsman Mattes Schönherr: “We are aware of the responsibility and want to take the step. We have it in our own hands.”
“… we don’t want to get too tense about it either”
The problem: In the end it was only slowly going uphill for the eighth. At the European Championships at the end of May, it was only enough for fourth place, and at the World Championships, the strong boats from Australia, the USA and Canada are now added. “Of course we want to move forward at the World Championships and qualify for the Olympics, but we don’t want to get too tense about it,” said national coach Sabine Tschäge.
But an Olympic exit would be a disaster. For years, the big boat was a guarantee of success, after the mythical gold of the “Ratzeburg Eight” in Rome in 1960, the Olympic qualification only failed in 1984 and 2000. Most recently, it even ran brilliantly with gold in 2012 and silver in 2016 and 2021. But the engine has stalled.
First showdown on Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday will show whether the intensive training in Dortmund and Paris helped. At 1:33 p.m., the eight contests its preliminary heat against Italy, Australia, the USA and Romania. The first two boats go directly to the A-final on Sunday, the remaining teams have to compete in the repechage on Friday. “Everyone is happy that things are starting now and we can attack,” says Tschäge.
And should the eight actually go under, there is at least one remaining hope: two more Olympic places will be awarded in Lucerne in May 2024. The German flagship would like to avoid such a thriller with all its might.