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Handball World Cup: Germany passed the matriculation test against Serbia

Handball Entry into the intermediate round of the World Cup

Germany passed the maturity test against Serbia with flying colours

Germany moves into the main round of the World Cup with a spectacle – the highlights in the video

The German national handball team also wins its second World Cup game and advances to the main round early. A convincing offensive and goalkeeper Birlehm laid the foundation for victory against Serbia. The highlights in the video.

The German national team also wins its second game at the Handball World Championship and qualifies early for the intermediate round. The win against Serbia could be doubly important. A player from the second row towers over.

Dhe German handball players passed their first World Cup endurance test and made it into the main round early. Also thanks to the goalkeeper Joel Birlehm, who was outstanding in the second half, the DHB selection prevailed against Serbia with 34:33 (19:17).

In the final preliminary round game on Tuesday (6 p.m. / ZDF) against Algeria, the third win should ensure the optimal number of points for the next phase of the tournament. Left winger Lukas Mertens with seven goals and captain Johannes Golla (6) were the best throwers in national coach Alfred Gislason’s team.

In front of around 2,500 spectators in Katowice, Poland, the expected thriller developed right from the start. Gislason’s team hardly allowed themselves any weak phases this time. But the experienced opponent never let the DHB selection pull away clearly. The fact that the targeted success was achieved in the end also had something to do with the strong Birlehm. The second key to victory was the almost consistently ideal exploitation of chances.

Goalkeeper Joel Birlehm (l.) showed a very strong performance

Quelle: dpa/Jan Woitas

The DHB selection started the game as they did in the 31:27 win against Qatar: sovereign and concentrated. Andreas Wolff, who has recovered from a strained calf, had difficulties with the shots placed by the Serbs. But otherwise the German defense was stable. And what was even more striking: the own exploitation of chances. Up front, Mertens, Kai Häfner, Golla and Co. used almost every opportunity they had. As a result, Gislason’s team was almost consistently in the lead by two or three goals in the first half.

Potential for improvement in defence

The Icelander and his players knew in advance what to expect. Not only internationally experienced players like Petar Djordjic or Lazar Kukic, but overall a lot of rip-off. In fact, the Serbs never faltered throughout the season despite falling behind. The German team could not afford a weak phase like in the second round against Qatar against this opponent. Neither did it. Nevertheless, it remained tight. Because the Serbs have a much higher individual class compared to their opening opponent Qatar.

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“I think we have to be a little more resolute in defense,” demanded DHB sports director Axel Kromer during the break. “Otherwise, a two-goal lead at half-time is good.” What Kromer and the rest of the German delegation must have liked: counterattacks and efficiency in front of the opposing goal. The interaction between Knorr and Kreis also worked.

Lukas Mertens was Germany's most successful thrower

Lukas Mertens was Germany’s most successful thrower

Quelle: dpa/Jan Woitas

What was missing in addition to a consistently stable defense was a strong goalkeeper performance. Wolff didn’t get into the game as well as he did against the Qataris. Five minutes before the break, Gislason sent the second goalkeeper Birlehm onto the plate. But if the Serbs did something particularly well, it was their placements. At least initially. Because the opponent built after the break. And unlike last time, Germany remained extremely stable.

Birlehm became stronger and stronger in goal, and in attack the DHB selection continued to exploit almost every chance they had. Technical mistakes, misses or gaps in defense like against Qatar? Hardly seen this time.

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