Häfner's bundesliga dominance sparks national team debate

Kai Häfner, the bundesliga's second-leading scorer behind Mathias Gidsel, is generating renewed calls for a return to the German national handball team, despite stepping away last year to focus on club and family. His Stuttgart coach, Misha Kaufmann, believes dropping a player of Häfner's caliber would be a mistake.

Kaufmann advocates for häfner's return to national team

“I’m not the national coach and can’t decide for Kai,” Kaufmann told handball-world. “But it would almost be negligent to leave a player like that out. If you ask me, I’d definitely bring him back. You can’t do without him; it makes no sense.”

Häfner retired from the national team in 2024, citing a desire to prioritize his club, TVB Stuttgart, and family. However, the 36-year-old continues to perform at an elite level in the bundesliga, currently trailing only Gidsel with 197 career goals. Kaufmann emphasizes Häfner’s overall quality, stating, “He’s a world-class player and a world-class person. He has everything.”

The right back position has been a concern for the German national team, a point coach Alfred Gislason himself has acknowledged. While Gislason has selected other players like Franz Semper and Renars Uscins for upcoming matches against Egypt in March, Kaufmann suggests Häfner's experience could complement Uscins, a rising star.

“I believe the interest isn’t too small,” Kaufmann said. He added that Häfner is always receptive to communication and would likely consider a