Bus instead of flight: Winter weather holds up handballers - Germany’s handball team swaps missed flights for a 12-hour bus ride home
Germany’s national handball team faced unexpected travel troubles on their way back from Croatia. After winning a warm-up match 32:29 against the hosts, winter weather disrupted their plans. The squad missed a connecting flight from Zagreb to Hanover, forcing a last-minute switch to a long bus journey instead.
The team had originally scheduled a short flight home following their victory in Croatia. But delays caused by poor weather meant they arrived too late for their connection. With no later flight available until Saturday, the players and staff faced a choice: wait or find another way.
Manager Benjamin Chatton called the situation a 'team road trip' rather than the planned evening together. The group decided to travel directly by bus, aiming to reach Hanover sooner. This would give them more time to rest before their next match. The German Handball Federation (DHB) confirmed the change in plans. Despite the setback, the team remains focused on their preparations. They will meet Croatia again in Hanover on Sunday for their final European Championship dress rehearsal.
The squad’s journey home took far longer than expected, but they prioritised recovery ahead of the upcoming match. Their strong 32:29 win in Croatia had set a positive tone before the tournament. Now, they will face the same opponents once more before the European Championship begins.
