With just over a year to go, Kretzschmar, who will turn 24 on 7 August 2024, exactly one year before the start of the 2025 TWG, reflects on the triumph and its significance on a global scale.

In an interview with The World Games, she explained that becoming a world champion is a motivational boost. "This title has a very special place in our hearts," she said. "We had to deal with a lot of difficult situations before and during the tournament, and the fact that we did it together as a team shows the incredible strength we have built up over the years", she said.

Collectively, Germany showed they were the team to beat, with Kretzschmar in top form. She was named Best Defender in the All-Star squad, an accolade she cherishes both personally and professionally. "I am very proud to have received such a special individual award after 10 years of beach handball, especially at a World Championship," she said.

For all these achievements, the IWGA named her Athlete of the Month for June 2024, and after this triumph, she is now focused solely on the possibility of winning another World Championship. "We are already looking forward to this adventure," she said when asked about Germany's qualification. 

She has participated in The World Games before and her experience was positive. "The last edition of The World Games in Birmingham (USA) was an incredible experience for all of us and the fact that we now have the opportunity to take part in this special tournament again is a reward for all our hard work over the years."

Kretzschmar won gold at The World Games 2022 and feels no pressure ahead of the 2025 event. Germany won all three major titles at The World Games 2022. They were particularly impressive at The World Games 2022, where they dominated the likes of Argentina and the strong Northern European teams. 

Kretzschmar understands the importance of beach handball being included in The World Games. She believes the sport will continue to grow due to its high level of excitement and ability to captivate spectators during its intense 20-minute matches. Her ultimate wish is to contribute to beach handball's inclusion in the Olympic Games.

Optimal preparation is a challenge, as major championships such as the World Championships or the World Games always take place in the middle of a packed schedule, combined with indoor handball commitments. "At the end of the year, in November or December, we have a training camp. Then we have another training camp in April. In June and July we start preparing for the tournaments. We use the little time we have intensively and try to work as precisely as possible in as short a time as possible," she explained.

Kretzschmar wants to play an important role in the development of the discipline, both as an athlete and as a potential ambassador for the sport. "In Germany, I would like to be a kind of ambassador who brings the sport to the masses and shows how great beach handball is," she said. Her biggest wish is to see beach handball included in the Olympic programme and she is actively working towards this goal.