Denmark punished every small mistake when the teams last met, a lesson Germany can’t afford to forget. Ahead of the Euros final, Julian Köster is clear about what must change.
“Ten bad minutes is too much,” Köster tells GoHandball.
For this German group, reaching the final marks a major milestone. It is the first Euros final for the core of the squad, and the excitement is impossible to hide. Yet beneath the anticipation lies a clear understanding of what it will take to beat Denmark.
“I’m really excited about the game. It’s the first final at the Euros for this group,” Köster says.
Germany’s defensive performance in the second half of the semifinal against Croatia was one of the tournament’s defining moments. Intensity, structure and physical presence turned the game, and reinforced the team’s identity.
“It was incredible. The beginning of the second half was really strong defensively. I think that’s one of the most important things, stopping Denmark’s attack and their fast breaks. We also have to help our goalkeepers,” he explains.
That defensive confidence has grown over time, fueled by depth across the squad and a collective belief that someone will always step up when it matters most.
“The feeling is great. We have so many good players, so we know we can do it. There’s always someone who is having a great day, and that makes us optimistic,” Köster says.
Denmark won in the Main round
Germany already know how dangerous Denmark can be. In the main round, the Germans suffered a narrow defeat, a game Köster believes slipped away during a short but costly lapse.
“We lost because of 10 or 15 bad minutes. Against Denmark, that’s too long. But apart from that, we played really well. The goal in the final is to play really good handball for 60 minutes,” he says.
The memory of the Olympic final loss in 2024 still lingers as well. But Köster insists this is a different German team, one shaped by experience, disappointment and steady growth.
“We’ve learned a lot since then. It was the first big final for almost all of us, and it was also a big surprise that we even reached it. There were a lot of emotions before the game, and we were a bit surprised by Denmark’s attacking play. This will be a different game,” he says.
More prepared now
Asked if the team is more prepared now than in previous finals, Köster doesn’t hesitate.
“Yes. I think we’ve learned a lot from these games. The World Championship last year also didn’t go as we hoped, but it’s been a good journey for us,” he explains.
Playing Denmark in a packed Jyske Bank Boxen will add another layer of difficulty. The crowd will be loud, hostile, and fully behind the hosts.
“It will be much louder in the final than in the main round. The arena will be completely against us, but that also gives us a great feeling. Everybody against us, and we are one team,” Köster says.
With gold now just one match away, the objective is crystal clear.
“It would mean everything. We are one step away from completing our goal. Sixty minutes – all in,” Köster concludes.