Perfect World Cup preliminary round!
Our handball players also dominate the third group duel against Algeria in Katowice – 37:21.
Best thrower: Rhein-Neckar-Löwe Jannik Kohlbacher (27) with ten strong hits in ten attempts.
Knaller-Kohli makes the preliminary round perfect!
But before the start there is a funny glitch: The DHB selection has put on the wrong jerseys! The game could still be started on time.
“Kohli” on ZDF: “It’s a victory that you can build on. Everything was fine today.”
Playmaker Juri Knorr (22) about club colleague Kohlbacher: “He’s a real machine, a real edge. That’s how I know him from training with the lions.”
Our handball players in front of 1,500 fans don’t care a bit about the strange shirt swirl. Despite being behind at the beginning, DHB captain Joahnnes Golla (25) quickly put a three-goal lead ahead – 6:3 (10th).
The break is even more comfortable: Rhein-Neckar-Löwen Juri Knorr (22) increases the lead to seven goals with a seven-metre throw. 16:9 after thirty minutes.
DHB sports director Axel Kromer (46): “We play confidently and clarified, were able to bring some players into the tournament and spare a few.”
Tricky decision: Algeria’s Sofiane gets red (40th). The circular runner accidentally hits Leipzig’s Witzke in the face when he slipped. Hard decision.
Witzke: “Two minutes would have been ok.”
Perfect preliminary round! Germany’s goal festival in the video
But Germany pulls through with concentration: Kohlbacher decides with a 16 (!) goal lead to an easy 37:21 victory.
DHB coach Alfred Gislason (63): “The boys played very focused. It was important that all the boys played very well.”
In the main round, Germany will now meet Argentina (Thursday, 6 p.m., ARD), Holland (Saturday, 8.30 p.m., ZDF) and Norway (Monday, 8.30 p.m., ARD).
Kohlbacher: “We have to do our homework against Argentina.”
Tasty reward: after the game we go to the rustic restaurant “Slaska Prohibicja” in Katowice – but without alcohol. Our handball boys would have deserved a beer after the great preliminary round…
