After olympia-exit: deb-team wants to show defiant reaction

"We want to show the world our true face," said cortina before the departure for the first world championship preparation games against belarus on friday in minsk and saturday in soligorsk. The italian-canadian is convinced that his players have the necessary attitude for the tests. "The moment they put on the german jersey, they’ll do everything they can to forget about that substitution," the 48-year-old said.

For the trip to russia, the national coach has called five newcomers. Goalkeeper andreas jenike, defensemen peter lindlbauer (both thomas sabo ice tigers) and patrick seifert (augsburg panthers) as well as attackers bernhard keil and rene rothke (both straubing tigers) could hope for their debut in the DEB-team. Many regulars not available due to ongoing playoffs.

Nevertheless, cortina is pleased about the euro field hockey challenge. In the tournament of the twelve best teams in europe, the germans will play two games each against the czech republic (12./13. April) and sweden (20./21. April). "We can prepare so well for the world cup," said coach.