Handball European Championship: “That’s a shame” – Sigurdsson with indignant speech earlier than the Germany recreation | EUROtoday

In an unprecedented indignant speech, Croatia’s nationwide coach Dagur Sigurdsson mercilessly settled accounts with the European Championship organizers the European Handball Federation (EHF) earlier than the semi-final duel with Germany. “I have to take part in this circus here. It’s a disgrace. The EHF is not interested in us players or in the team,” complained Sigurdsson earlier than the sport this Friday (5.45 p.m./ARD and Dyn).

In his tirade, the previous nationwide coach referred to the packed match schedule for his workforce. Unlike Germany, Croatia performed its predominant spherical video games in Malmö/Sweden and not too long ago needed to play two days in a row. On the non-playing Thursday, Croatia had a day of journey to Herning, the place the finals might be performed – and the place Germany has been enjoying for the reason that begin of the match.

The EHF responded about two hours later. “The schedule will be known to all teams no later than the draw for the final tournament, more than six months before the start of the championship. It is recognized that the teams from Malmö face a more difficult situation. However, it should be noted that the teams in previous championships have faced similar schedules,” it mentioned.

Sigurdsson: “It’s absolutely shocking”

Sigurdsson’s monologue lasted 2:57 minutes. “They advertise with the slogan ‘Pure Greatness’,” he mentioned, referring to the EM slogan. “Really? Is this pure awesomeness? It’s absolutely shocking,” mentioned Sigurdsson and wished to go away: “I’ll be very happy when I can leave. Just let me know when I can.”

Sigurdsson denounced unfair situations and unequal match preparation. “We drove four hours by bus from Malmö. We arrived at 2.30 p.m. and our hotel isn’t even at the Herning venue. Now we drive 45 minutes from the hotel to the hall and back again. It’s six o’clock when I get back. We didn’t have any training, we didn’t have a meeting with the team,” the 52-year-old continued. Pictures circulated within the Croatian media exhibiting gamers laying down on the ground to sleep in the course of the bus journey.

The EHF defended the choice that the Croatian workforce lodge could be in Silkeborg. “To offer the two semi-finalists, Germany and Croatia, identical conditions. Slightly longer journeys at international championships are not uncommon,” defined the affiliation.

Sigurdsson described the EHF as a “fast food company” that doesn’t care in regards to the high quality of the video games. “They just want to sell. They order artists to put on a great show. They don’t care about anything else,” mentioned the Croatian nationwide coach and complained: “They’re like an event company. They order a few artists, put on a nice show, a nice press conference. They packed us into a cold bus like frozen chicken.”

Germany’s nationwide coach Alfred Gislason agreed along with his compatriot. “He’s absolutely right and I’m sorry,” mentioned the 66-year-old.