Thrilling Euro Qualification as DHB Bids Emotional Farewell to Legend Drux
DHB Workers Reserve Ambulance Ticket Causing Emotional Incident
Say your goodbyes to handball star Paul Drux, as Germany storms into the 2026 European Championship! With a heart-stopping 31:26 win over Austria, the DHB team clinched their spot in the final round, setting the stage for an unforgettable tournament in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway (January 15 to February 1, 2026).
Paul Drux, a former national hero and ex-Füchse Berlin powerhouse, bid a tearful farewell following his retirement due to health issues. Despite battling multiple severe injuries throughout his career, Drux remained a force to be reckoned with, claiming a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and making 127 appearances for Germany, recording 214 goals[1][2].
A Bumpiest Road to Victory
Germany's Euro quest began with a sold-out arena in Hannover, where Marko Grgic shone with seven goals, leading the charge against Austria. In the second half, substitute goalkeeper David Spaeth stole the show with his incredible saves, even scoring one himself[1][4], as Germany stretched their lead at the top of Group 7 with a 7:1 points total. Austria (4:4) sits comfortable in second place, with Switzerland (3:3) close behind and Turkey (0:0) at the bottom.
The DHB team struggled to find their groove initially, with a lackluster defense and missing key players Juri Knorr and Renars Uscins. However, a crucial header save by André Wolff at 5:5 (13.) seemed to galvanize the team. In the following counterattack, Nils Lichtlein opened the scoring, and Julian Koester quickly added to the lead, making it 7:5 after 15 minutes.
An Unforgettable Emotional Moment
With a lively crowd behind them, Germany found its stride, with Grgic dominating the game with five first-half goals. However, mistakes and Austria's 7:6 power play advantage kept the score close at the break, ending with Germany leading just 14:16[4].
The second half brought new energy, as Austria's challenge crumbled under the DHB team's relentless assault. Spaeth's dazzling saves inspired cheers from the stands, and when Grgic converted a seven-meter shot to make it 23:16 (42), any hope of an Austrian comeback was all but squashed[4].
A Culmination of Love and Appreciation
Emotions ran high after the final whistle, as Paul Drux's illustrious career came to an end. In a heartfelt message to the adoring fans, Drux expressed his gratitude: "Regardless of which club I played for, I've always felt the love and support from all of you, even in the toughest of times[1]. I just wanted to thank you all again for that."
As the handball world bids farewell to one of its greatest, Germany looks ahead to the promise of a memorable European Championship[3].
During the emotional farewell of Paul Drux, handball star and retired ex-Füchse Berlin player, the DHB team showcased their vocational training and teamwork, clinching a qualification spot for the 2026 European Championship. In a sold-out arena in Hannover, German players like Marko Grgic and David Spaeth demonstrated their skills, selling the team's victory against Austria with a 31:26 win. As the tournament approaches from January 15 to February 1, 2026, in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, the community expressed its love and appreciation for Drux through WhatsApp messages and stadium cheers.
