ARD presenter Bommes had to sit out for health reasons at the World Cup in Qatar. Now he will not be available for the Handball World Cup either, the broadcaster announced. He should have moderated alongside ex-world champion Dominik Klein – someone else is now doing it.
After football comes handball: From 11 to 29 January 2023, the men’s handball world championship will take place in Poland and Sweden. ARD and ZDF will show all the games of the German national team, but at least ARD will not have the moderator originally planned. As the ARD has now announced, Alexander Bommes will not be able to moderate alongside ex-world champion Dominik Klein as planned. Instead, presenter Stephanie Müller-Spirra is trusted.
Regarding the absence of Bommes, it says: “After a year in which I, like many people, had to accept some health restrictions, I want to complete further recovery and therefore consequently refrain from moderating this year’s Handball World Cup. Dominik Klein is with Stephanie in competent and friendly hands – and I’m very happy about that.”
“Of course I’m very curious about everything that’s to come!”, said Müller-Spirra, who had moved up. “Replacing Alex Bommes is a huge task, but I will give everything – together with Dominik Klein. Above all, I hope that Alex will soon be healthy and happy in front of the camera again.”
The 46-year-old had to miss the World Cup in Qatar “for health reasons”. At that time, ARD presenter Jessy Wellmer replaced him and sat alongside Almuth Schult, Thomas Hitzlsperger and Sami Khedira.
ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky was saddened by Bommes’ failure: “The entire ARD team and I am very sorry for Alex Bommes that he has to give up the World Cup and we wish him that he can do it as soon as possible The broadcaster did not give out more detailed information about the expected length of Bommes’ absence then and now.
