“They took off our pants”: Germany celebrates the biggest handball festival in history

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>

The Swiss had big plans for the record match, but have no chance at the start of the European Championship against host country Germany (27:14). Even the Swiss figurehead Andy Schmid never gets up to speed.

Accordingly, Schmid seems dejected in the SRF interview: “Our pants were taken off today.” First, the national team leader praises the opponent: “Wolff is excellent. They showed us where they are better in every way. We were not equal in any position. Most likely in goal, where Nikola plays a good game.” The atmosphere was great. “But if you lose 14:27, that is certainly not a highlight. My children are here, I can’t hide it from them. But I won’t tell my grandchildren.”

Andy Schmid’s family was really looking forward to this special day. His wife Therese came to the world record competition with their two boys Levi (7) and Lio (11) – led by their grandmother. “It had been tingling all day. I am very excited,” said Erika Schmid on the way to the Fortuna Düsseldorf football arena.

Swiss fans march to the stadium for the record-breaking match

The mother traveled to Germany with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it is a great moment of happiness that her son can start his last European Championship on this gigantic stage, concluding his international career. On the other hand, there is the continued uncertainty about the vulnerability of his thigh injury. “I am especially keeping my fingers crossed for his health. After all, it is not a given that he can still play at this level at the age of 40.”

Mama Schmid is looking forward to the moment when her Andy takes over as national coach and can no longer get injured. “That will certainly save my nerves.” The Schmid family shared grandma Erika’s nervousness with 1,500 other Swiss fans before the big match against Germany, hours before the world record match. The most loyal Nati supporters gathered at Reeser Platz in the afternoon.

Battling freezing temperatures and frozen fingers, the red and white crowd created a heartwarming atmosphere with a peaceful yet loud march to the arena. “We never thought there would be a big turnout of Swiss fans. And all of this in this enormous arena – simply fantastic,” says Erika Schmid enthusiastically. But the Schmid fan club got very hot in the indoor stadium – at temperatures like in a wellness area.

Despite all their efforts, the 3,000 Swiss supporters had no chance against the 50,000 German spectators. The superiority was also too great on the field.

Veteran star Karabatic awaits next

The start of this historic handball day was reserved in the early evening for probably the most complete player in history: Nikola Karabatic (39) celebrated a 39:29 victory over North Macedonia with France. The three-time world handball player Karabatic is still far from the level of his best days, but thanks to their stars of the new generation, the French are still among the most popular candidates for a European Championship medal.

They are Switzerland’s next opponent in Berlin on Sunday evening. The national team is already playing the European Championship in front of almost 15,000 fans. However, to prevent this, a completely different appearance is required. Or as Andy Schmid says: “After such a blow you just have to swallow it.”

Source : Blick