The German handball players gave up a lead against Spain and in the end clearly lost against Spain. This means that the team has little chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Egypt.
Due to the 28:32 (13:16) defeat against European champions Spain in the first main round game on Thursday evening (January 21, 2021) in Cairo, the German team no longer has the leap into the knockout round in their own hands.
“It’s hard to digest because there was a lot more in it,” said Uwe Gensheimer on ZDF. “It just hurts.”
Two victories are a must, help from other teams is necessary
In view of now 2: 4 points, the DHB selection must win their next two main round games against Brazil on Saturday and Poland on Monday and at the same time hope for help in order to maintain the minimum chance. The best thrower of the German team was Timo Kastening with seven hits.
Clearly behind the break, then Germany turns up
In the first half, Germany kept up with goals up to 4: 4, then fell more and more behind. Jorge Maqueda put Spain in the lead with 16:12 shortly before the break, for Germany Johannes Golla shortened to at least three goals behind the Sirene.
After equalizing at 19:19, it was Philipp Weber who secured the first comfortable lead with his goal at 25:22. “You can’t play much better,” said national coach Alfred Gislason on ZDF about this phase.
Nine minutes without a goal, Spain punished for mistakes
But the German team made too many mistakes against the strong Spaniards, and almost all of them were punished. Meanwhile, the 25:22 became a 26:31. The German team went nine minutes without a hit.
“The last few minutes we had a chance to close the game. Our evaluation of the chances broke our necks,” said Gislason. “We can only concentrate on the next game.”
Those: sportschau.de
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