“I don’t understand the world anymore”
Huge corona bad luck for DHB talent
01/17/2022, 4:35 p.m
The German Handball Association reacted quickly to the positive corona finding of national player Julius Kühn and nominated Hendrik Wagner. But the backcourt player has to worry about his participation in the European Championship, because he also tested positive. The result comes as a surprise.
Next Corona case in the DHB team: The latecomer Hendrik Wagner, of all people, tested positive for the virus after his arrival in the obligatory initial PCR test and is now in isolation, as the German Handball Association (DHB) explains. Wagner, who was only ordered to Bratislava on Sunday for Julius Kühn, who was also infected with the corona virus, had not yet had any contact with the German delegation, according to the association.
“I don’t understand the world anymore,” said the 24-year-old backcourt player for second division club Eulen Ludwigshafen: “I’m physically fine at the moment, but the last few hours have been an emotional rollercoaster ride.” DHB sports director Axel Kromer said: “I’m sorry that Hendrik Wagner was slowed down so much. I hope that the infection will be mild for him.”
The positive test came “very surprisingly for all of us and for him too,” said Kromer: “It may pose a problem for him and our sporting quality. But thank God there is no risk for the delegation because he has been separated so far was and therefore could not infect anyone.” Wagner had regularly submitted PCR tests since the beginning of the year in order to be ready for a subsequent nomination. When or if he will still be used at the European Championship is unclear for the time being. According to the tournament rules, he must now remain in quarantine for at least five days, then he could test himself freely.
The further PCR tests of the German delegation were consistently negative. On Tuesday (6 p.m. in the live ticker on ntv.de and live on ZDF) the team of national coach Alfred Gislason meets Poland in the last preliminary round game, then it’s about the group win and the first points for the main round. Germany won the first two games against Belarus (33:29) and Austria (34:29).