World Handball Championship: Germany in fifth place

With a very sturdy defensive efficiency, Germany’s handball gamers secured fifth place in the World Cup towards Norway on Sunday (29/01/2023). The DHB workforce received with the rating 28:24 (16:13) and thus avenged the loss to the Norwegians in the primary spherical.

National coach Alfred Gislason dropped Philipp Weber and defensive specialist Simon Ernst, changing him with Djibril M’bengue, whereas additionally handing second-choice Tim Zechel his first World Cup sport. From the beginning, Gislason relied on Lucas Mertens, Julian Koster, Juri Knorr, Christoph Steinert, Lucas Zerbe, Johannes Golla and Andreas Wolff to attain.

Germany’s seven-meter killer Andreas Wolff

After Knorr’s cross, Golla made it 1-0 in the primary assault. It was a balanced opening interval the place the DHB workforce needed to cope with the tempo of the Norwegians, who hit the accelerator immediately even after conceding a aim in the primary place. Against the Scandinavian assault, issues have been higher for the German protection, and the wide-awake Wolff in aim contributed to this. 1 / 4 of an hour later, he returned a seven-meter throw, and Germany took an 8-5 lead.

After that, each coaches began to alter a bit. This led to plenty of errors in the German assault early on, however Wolff saved two extra sevens and a DHB choice effectively in the sport. Luka Witzke, who changed Knorr in this era, had a strong efficiency with a convincing aim up entrance. 16:13 at halftime was effectively deserved.

Great defensive work by the Germans after the break

Germany got here out of the break with plenty of momentum and have been selfless, particularly in defence, so the Norwegians have been in very tight areas, and Wolff made a number of “simple” saves. At 7:14 p.m., DHB pulled away till 9:15 p.m., when Norway coach Jonas Wille was pressured to take a break after a superb 40 minutes.

The German workforce regarded set to lose the ultimate once more, as they did in their final three matches towards Norway, France and Egypt. Obvious likelihood is missed, Patrik Grotzky, for instance, is totally free twice and 23:20 Norway are all of a sudden in shut contact once more.

Strong Kai Hafner makes all of it clear towards Norway

As a outcome, Gislason took a timeout, however his workforce appeared to expire and Wolff was in a position to thank: Magnus Rohde had an opportunity to cut back the deficit once more at 26:23 4 minutes earlier than the ultimate whistle, however discovered his grasp in the German goalkeeper. With two minutes left in the sport, DHB was nonetheless main 26-24 when it fizzled once more.

Kai Hafner, who was actually sturdy in the second half, lastly despatched the ball into the aim with the danger of losing time – 27:24. Most fascinating: Hafner was injured minutes earlier, however Gislason stated he wished to play once more in the ultimate interval. The veteran could have even damaged his backbone, the nationwide coach defined on the ZDF web site. Either method, Hafner’s aim was the deciding issue.

Source: sportschau.de