German media sharply about Polish jumpers: Catastrophic team

In this year’s edition, the Germans have a good chance of winning the entire cycle. In the last few years, players from beyond our western border have stood on the podium several times in the final classification, but they have been waiting for a win since the 2001/02 season, when Sven Hannawald was the best.

Currently, among the main candidates for victory in the 4-Hills-Tournament are the leader of the overall World Cup, Karl Geiger, who, after returning from a break caused by the coronavirus, was on the podium three times.

Main candidates for victory in the 4-Hills-Tournament according to the German Eurosport:

Karl Geiger (Germany)

• 4-Hills-Tournament appearances: 9
• Best place: 2nd (2020/21)

The current leader of the general classification of the World Cup took third place two years ago, and second one a year ago. The German media are announcing that, according to mathematics, this year Geiger should win the first victory for Germany since the 2001/02 season. The hill in his hometown Oberstdorf, where the start of the 70th starts, TCS is happy for him – two years ago he was second there and a year ago first.

Markus Eisenbichler (Niemcy)

• 4-Hills-Tournament appearances: 9
• Best place: 2 (2018/19)

In top form, “Eisei” is one of the most spectacular jumpers in the field, but is currently looking for his best disposition. The six-time world champion has had many ups and downs in the past two years. In TCS in the 2019/20 season, he never even reached the top 10, and a year ago he was in the top five only once (5th in Oberstdorf). This season he was on the podium twice (2x 3rd place in Ruce).

Ryoyu Kobayashi (Japonia)

• 4-Hills-Tournament appearances: 5
• Best place: 1st (2018/19)

Were it not for the forced break caused by the coronavirus infection, the Japanese would be the leader of the World Cup classification. In six competitions, he scored 496 points, which gives him 82.6 points per performance. The current leader averages 66 points (594 points from nine starts). Kobayashi is in a very good shape and is indicated as one of the tournament favorites.

Stefan Kraft (Austria)

• 4-Hills-Tournament appearances: 10
• Best place: 1st (2014/15)

In 2009-2015 the 4-Hills-Tournament was won by Austrian jumpers seven times in a row. Since Kraft’s triumph in 2015, this golden age has come to an end. This year, he is again among the favorites, although the world champion is regularly plagued by back problems, and even before this season he was infected with the coronavirus. The 28-year-old, however, shows his high form, which ensured his victory in Klingenthal.

Halvor Egner Granerud (Norway)

• 4-Hills-Tournament appearances: 5
• Best place: 4 (2020/21)

After securing the Crystal Ball in the last season of the World Cup, the Norwegian jumper slightly let go of the tone to re-enter the new season with a bang – in Nizhniy Tagil he was 3rd and 1st. Since then, he has not been on the top step of the podium anymore. Despite the great previous season, the 4-Hills-Tournament finished in the worst place for the athlete, placing fourth. This year, however, he is rightly considered one of the favorites.

Kamil Stoch (Poland)

• 4-Hills-Tournament appearances: 16
• Best place: 1st (2016/17, 2017/18, 2020/21)

In recent years, the Polish jumper has won practically everything, except for the cursed ski flying world title. According to the German Eurosport, Kamil Stoch is currently the only sensible jumper in the disastrous Polish national team. However, his chances of winning the prestigious German-Austrian tournament are low, according to the media. If, however, someone were to surprise, it would undoubtedly be it.