Pressure is growing on the handball star: Uscins wants to protect himself: “Strenuous for the head”

German handball hopeful Renars Uscins is not left unscathed by the increased hype surrounding him. “It’s obviously an appreciation, but it’s also tiring on the head. I have to learn to deal with it and protect myself,” said the whiz kid from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf before the World Cup opener against Poland on Wednesday (8.30 p.m.).

Uscins made his tournament debut for the senior national team at the home European Championships last year. At the Olympic Games, he promptly became the most valuable player for national coach Alfred Gislason’s silver team. At just 22 years old, the backcourt player is one of the youngest and yet it is impossible to imagine the German squad without him.

Gislason wants to protect Uscins

It’s not just media inquiries that have increased dramatically. Also autograph requests or conversations with other celebrities. “It’s always been various little things that have become extremely large,” reported Uscins about his new position in the spotlight.

While Juri Knorr was the focus of attention at the last tournaments, it is now Uscins who has medal hopes hanging on him. “I think it’s very valuable for me to talk to Juri about it because he’s been through it all before. It would be bad if you wanted to please everyone. That draws energy,” Uscins said.

The increasing attention and the associated pressure does not go unnoticed by Gislason. “It’s a worry because Juri had a lot of problems for a while with the fact that no matter what he did, everything was just a matter of balance. I’m afraid we’ll have to try to keep Renars out of the hustle and bustle,” said the Icelander.