The German handball team will have to do without backcourt player Franz Semper for the Olympic dress rehearsal against Japan in Stuttgart on Sunday (17:30, Porsche Arena). The left-hander from SC DHfK Leipzig is suffering from shoulder problems, which are currently being treated in Leipzig in consultation with the doctors from the association and club, the German Handball Federation announced.
According to the DHB, further steps with a view to the Olympic Games in Paris will be decided in due course. National coach Alfred Gislason has now called up veteran Kai Häfner (35/TVB Stuttgart), who was not scheduled for the Olympics, for the last test match.
Semper had already missed Friday's 33:29 win over Hungary. The federation had explained his absence before kick-off with "private reasons". Semper had recommended himself for the Olympic squad thanks to a convincing Bundesliga season in Leipzig.
After the opener against Sweden on July 29, Japan will be Germany's second group opponent at the season highlight in France. The Gislason team will also play Slovenia, Spain and Croatia.
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