Son of handball legend Stefan Kretzschmar named to German U18 squad for European Championship

Published Jul 23, 06:41 AM UTC

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Elvis Ernesto Kretzschmar, the 18-year-old son of German handball icon Stefan Kretzschmar, has been selected for the German U18 national team ahead of the Handball European Championship in Serbia (July 29 to August 9). The left backcourt player, who plays for SC Magdeburg's junior team, scored seven goals in recent test matches against Portugal. National coach Erik Wudtke announced the 16-player squad, which also includes Kalle Gaugisch (son of women's national coach Markus Gaugisch) and Lenn Strobel (son of ex-professional Wolfgang Strobel), making it a 'national team of sons.' Stefan Kretzschmar expressed pride in his son's achievement. The German U18 team will face hosts Serbia, Italy, and Turkey in the preliminary round, with matches streamed live on EHFTV. The announcement follows the U20 team's sixth-place finish at their European Championship in Romania.

Source report

Following the U20 national team's sixth-place finish at the European Championship in Romania, the German U18 team is now aiming for medals at the Handball European Championship in Serbia, taking place from July 29 to August 9.

National coach Erik Wudtke (54) has announced his 16-player squad, which will also feature in two final test matches against Switzerland on July 24 (6:30 PM in Biblis) and July 25 (7:30 PM in Gelnhausen). The selection has been described as something of a "national team of sons."

Kretzschmar's Son Among the Nominees

Elvis Ernesto Kretzschmar (18), son of handball icon Stefan Kretzschmar (53), has been named to Wudtke's squad. The left backcourt player, who competes for the juniors of SC Magdeburg, recently scored seven goals in two test matches against Portugal, delivering strong performances.

Stefan Kretzschmar played 218 international matches for Germany, scoring 821 goals. His daughter Lucie-Marie (25) plays in the Handball Bundesliga for HSG Bensheim/Auerbach and is among Germany's best beach handball players. Now Elvis will also wear the federal eagle on his jersey.

Stefan Kretzschmar commented: "I am happy for Elvis because I know how much this means to him. He plays in a very talented team, with a great coaching team in Erik Wudtke and Fabian Lüdke. The greatest thing for any handball player is to be allowed to play for their country, and you can see that in the boys. I wish the team lots of fun and success for the international matches against Switzerland and for the European Championship in Serbia."

A "National Team of Sons"

The German U18 squad features several players from prominent handball families. Alongside Elvis Ernesto Kretzschmar, the following have also been nominated:

Kalle Gaugisch (JSG Balingen-Weilstetten) – son of women's national coach Markus Gaugisch
Lenn Strobel (JSG Balingen-Weilstetten) – son of ex-professional Wolfgang Strobel and nephew of former European champion Martin Strobel

In the preliminary round in Belgrade, the DHB juniors will face hosts Serbia, Italy, and Turkey. All matches will be streamed live on www.ehftv.com (fee required).

The German Squad

Goalkeepers:

Tobias Dengler (THW Kiel)
Tjorven Knackstedt (VfL Gummersbach)

Field Players:

Anton Kracht (HSG Handball Lemgo)
Claudius Beuthner (THW Kiel)
Mats Brigzinsky (SC Magdeburg)
Julius Pöthke (TSV Burgdorf)
Finn Meißner (SG Pforzheim/Eutingen)
Kalle Gaugisch (JSG Balingen-Weilstetten)
Vincent Faciejew (THW Kiel)
Elvis Ernesto Kretzschmar (SC Magdeburg)
Lenn Strobel (JSG Balingen-Weilstetten)
Julius Eisend (THW Kiel)
Toma Gadza (HSV Hamburg)
Malte Elze (SC Magdeburg)
Constantin Minning (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)
Moritz Detlefsen (SG Flensburg-Handewitt)

Content shown outside its original language is machine translated; summaries may also be condensed.

Source

BILD - SportWestern

Original headline: Für Junioren-Handball-EM - Kretzsche-Sohn ins Nationalteam berufen

Original language: DE

Part of this Story

Son of Handball Legend Stefan Kretzschmar Called Up to German U18 National Team for European Championship

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