Julian Köster played a key role at both ends of the court for Germany once more on Friday night as he and Germany fended off the Spanish challenge to reach the nation’s first Olympic final in 20 years.
“It’s such an amazing feeling to be going into the final game of the Olympics, I’m really, really happy. We knew they would come back at us, it’s always a close game against Spain, so we were prepared for that and I’m just happy that we stayed in front after 60 minutes,” shares the 24-year-old left back, who is part of a generation of young players that have elevated this Germany team to a new level in an incredibly short time.
A new important player in every game
The Germans got their campaign off to a flying start, beating Sweden, which saw them considered genuine medal contenders.
Their improvement in form and a sudden exciting brand of handball has won them many fans over the past two weeks.
“I feel we played a really good group phase against some strong opponents but we have a good team together here.
“In every game, there’s a new important player who steps up, two days ago it was Renars Uščins, today it was Andreas Wolff, which shows what a real team we have,” says Köster, who doesn’t mention his own moment of magic in the previous match, where his interception of Dika Mem’s pass led to the miracle equaliser and victory over hosts France.
First final
It’s a far cry for Köster from January’s home EHF EURO, where consecutive losses on the final weekend, left them without a medal. Silver is now guaranteed and they will be a tough nut to crack in Sunday’s gold medal match.
“For me, it’s a first final, so I can’t compare it to any other but it’s a much better feeling than what I felt in January. The Olympics is such a great event, so it’s special to be a part of the final.”