Out of the air in the second half: Germany fail in World Cup quarter-final against France

Alfred Gislason danced on the sidelines as Rumpelstiltskin at pace. He waved his arms wildly, adopted every throw along with his higher physique, clenched his fists at every wicket. But after a livid first half, 45 minutes at eye stage, he turned more and more calm. The dream of getting a medal has exploded. Germany’s handball gamers are out of the World Cup competitors and can play just for locations 5 by eight after shedding to France in the quarterfinals 28:35 (16:16). The record-breaking world champion and Olympic champion was a measurement too massive.

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“It was an enormous battle for us, we did not take any possibilities to achieve the semi-finals. In the finish, the consequence was too excessive. There remains to be a protracted option to go to get again to the high of the world.”, Captain Johannes Golla was disillusioned. Gislason additionally thought “we ran out of breath in the second half. Some of the boys had been very busy there. The deciding issue was we did not create too many possibilities. I’m proud of the boys although.”

Shortly earlier than the quarter-finals, French handball changed into a scandal. France Info broadcaster reported that Bruno Martini (52), the 1995 and 2001 world champion and present president of the French handball league, is being prosecuted on suspicion of little one abuse and possession of little one pornography. The former goalkeeper, who final performed for THW Kiel in 2009, pleaded responsible to the expenses after spending two days in police custody and agreed to a one-year suspended jail sentence, based on the Paris prosecutor’s workplace. French sports activities minister Amelie Oudea-Castera was “deeply shocked” and known as for instant reduction.

France, Great Nation. National coach Alfred Gislason needs to keep away from the benefit. For him, it’s “the hardest opponent doable. They are in an amazing place, they’re nice in each manner. We need to play an amazing recreation to have an opportunity.” First, each groups needed to be affected person, as in the earlier quarter-final Spain and Norway didn’t need to win and two overtimes had been wanted earlier than the Iberians gained 35:34. The German recreation began after 22 minutes.

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But the DHB choose was wakeful at the Ergo Arena in Gdańsk, not even half full and taking part in higher and higher as David. This is with an virtually flawless assault, constant protection and, above all, Andreas Woff in gala kind. With some acrobatic strikes, he towered over the defensive battle. In entrance, the Germans confirmed increasingly braveness in each assault and each objective. In what was arguably the largest recreation of his profession up to now for him, playmaker Juri Knorr pulled his uniform whipping throws out of his toolbox once more, going for the seams and staging neighbors like Johannes Golla and Christoph Steinert. And Wolff took ten repeated bites earlier than the break. world class! Germany rushed to 4 plus (11:7), and after 1 / 4 of an hour, the heavenly world from France instantly fell to the floor. The belief in feeling was there. But: three or 4 modifications – the management disappeared. The recreation is now a basic, high-paced, level-playing recreation

Even after the break, the Germans held arms and made up for his or her lack of expertise in battle (19:17). But more and more substitute French goalkeeper Remy Desbonne was an element. With his 14 saves, virtually 50 p.c of the balls saved by the “match man”, the report world champion turned the recreation, sensible, ripped. With 9 minutes to go, France was main 29-24 – the determination. In the finish, it was a bittersweet lesson, like French for freshmen.

Bottom line: The DHB choice hasn’t gained a knockout recreation in seven years since the 2016 Olympics. Now it is time to pack once more. After 48 hours in Gdansk, the flight continues to Stockholm at 10:30 on Thursday, the place the first qualifier against Egypt is scheduled for Friday. It will then be determined whether or not Germany – once more in Stockholm – will play for fifth or seventh place on Sunday.