Germany's handball team adjusts roster for egypt tests – kastening returns

Published on 13/03/2026 12:05 in politics • Matt Sczesny

The German national handball team will face Egypt without Kiel's Lukas Zerbe, with MT Melsungen's Timo Kastening stepping into his place for the upcoming international matches, the German Handball Federation (DHB) announced Friday.

Kastening rejoins national team after a year

Kastening rejoins national team after a year

This marks Kastening's return to the national squad after nearly a year. The left-handed player last represented Germany in May of last year during Euro Qualifiers against Switzerland and Turkey.

Coach Alfred Gislason is making personnel adjustments following Germany's silver medal finish at the European Championship. The team will play two matches against the reigning African champions, Egypt, as part of their training camp week.

The first match will take place on March 19th at 6:15 PM in Dortmund's Westfalenhalle, followed by a second game in Bremen on March 22nd at 3:30 PM. Both matches will be broadcast on ProSieben.

The 17-man squad includes 14 players who participated in the European Championship earlier this year. The full roster is as follows: Goalkeepers: David Späth (Rhein-Neckar Löwen), Lasse Ludwig (Füchse Berlin); Field Players: Tim Freihöfer (Füchse Berlin), Lukas Mertens (SC Magdeburg), Matthes Langhoff (Füchse Berlin), Miro Schluroff (VfL Gummersbach), Marko Grgic (SG Flensburg-Handewitt), Juri Knorr (Aalborg Handbold/Denmark), Julian Köster (VfL Gummersbach), Renars Uscins (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf), Franz Semper (SC DHfK Leipzig), Timo Kastening (MT Melsungen), Mathis Häseler (VfL Gummersbach), Tom Kiesler (VfL Gummersbach), Johannes Golla (SG Flensburg-Handewitt), Justus Fischer (TSV Hannover-Burgdorf), Jannik Kohlbacher (Rhein-Neckar Löwen).

The selection highlights the depth within the German team, even with key players like Zerbe absent. Gislason's decision indicates a strategic shift as they prepare for the series of games against Egypt.

Kastening’s return provides a boost to the team's offensive capabilities and offers a valuable experienced option as they build momentum.