It caused a lot of attention, as a circle of the world’s best håndboldspillere in the last week went public with a harsh criticism of the hard fixtures. Cut to the bone, it sounded, to drive the exploitation of the players, and that there are too few breaks and holidays.
the national Coach Nikolaj Jacobsen joined the criticism, as his squad on Monday were gathered together for the first time since the happy gulddage in Herning in January.
In this week apply it two european championship qualifying against Montenegro. First match is at stamford bridge on Wednesday, while managed to be played in a sold out Royal Arena on Saturday.
Extra Magazine asked Nikolaj Jacobsen, though it could be an idea with fewer finals, on the way to save the players.
– I do not see it as an opportunity håndboldsporten. I wish it was different, but I have come to the conclusion that the finals tournament, does that håndbolden right now is really good running in France, Germany and Denmark – particularly in the herresiden.
– I don’t think we can do without the finals every year. Our sport is not big enough to sustain the wages and the interest, which must be for håndbolden. It has risen sharply since the man went over to hold the finals every year.
the Article continues under the picture…
Nikolaj Jacobsen does not consider there to be changed by the finals. Photo: Tariq Mikkel Khan/Ritzau Scanpix
– If you must cut it should be the Champions League. It is not necessary that we play 14 group matches, and then that it is the same team that goes on every year. You could well make it more attractive and cut down on kampantallet.
– Håndbolden is on the rise in several countries, and if you need to preserve it, it is not landsholdene and the finals tournament, you must tinker with.
– Moreover, one should make an agreement that the tournaments must be finished no later than 15. may. It also applies in Germany and Denmark, as are any of those that run the longest time. And then there must be an agreement that the Final 4 in the next weekend is the last that is in håndboldåret. It must be the big event, ending a hopefully excellent håndboldsæson of.
– Then you start to get six to eight weeks of summer vacation. Today you run the risk of only having two-three weeks of vacation, and it is too little. On the way, you do not get charged the batteries up, says Nikolaj Jacobsen.
But the captain, Niklas Landin, was among the players, who last week contacted The International Håndboldforbund and to The European Håndboldforbund.
the Article continues below the image.
Niklas Landin is active in the campaign for better working conditions. Photo: Tariq Mikkel Khan/Ritzau Scanpix
– There was made a large group after the WORLD cup. The players in Paris, started it, and Sarah asked if I would be with. It is certainly something I can back up – and will be back up as the captain of the Danish national team.
– It’s pretty bad that there is better communication between, for instance, the German federation and EHF (when Rhein-Neckar Löwen played two matches at the same time).
– We just want to be with in the decision on how we can benefit the sport the best, so the best players are in those crucial matches in the finals of the Champions League.
– It goes out over the crowd, when the players are injured or can only provide at half the power, so therefore we think it benefits all, that we get some communication about spilleprogram and the number of rest days.
– We have just won the German cup. We played the semi-finals 18.30 on Saturday evening and the finale on Sunday. 15. It is amazingly short period of time between two important matches, and it is hard both for the head and body.
– I hope there will be a really good meeting with EHF in connection with the Final 4 in Cologne, says Niklas Landin.
