Maike Merz and Tanja Kuttler decide at the European Handball Championships. Image: picture alliance / foto2press
Tanja Kuttler and Maike Merz whistle at the European Handball Championships, while also organizing their families. They had to fight for their place and are surprised at their popularity.
Sometimes Tanja Kuttler and Maike Merz are amazed at their fresh and robust popularity – when they give autographs to fans from both camps after a Bundesliga game and are asked for pictures. They have (usually) left one of the fan camps dissatisfied. And anyway: Which handball referee gives autographs? “It’s not just girls who have their photos taken with us in the halls,” says Maike Merz, “there are also many boys. At first we were surprised. It has now become normal.”
The two referees are aware of their role as role models. They have been whistling in the men’s Bundesliga since 2018. Participation in this European Championship marks a temporary highlight for the sisters from Tettnang – being one of the 18 teams that will lead the European Championship games is the conclusion of a trilogy that began with the World Cup in Poland and Sweden a year ago the Women’s World Cup in Denmark in December and is now continuing at home.