Sport Handball-EM
Germany loses thrilling semi-final against Denmark
Status: 26.01.2024 | Reading time: 3 minutes
In the end there was hardly any way through: Sebastian Heymann was blocked by two Danes
Source: AFP/INA FASSBENDER
The German handball players were eliminated in the semi-finals of the home European Championship. The DHB selection lost to world champion Denmark 26:29. The favorite was still behind at the break, but then changed the goalkeeper.
At halftime the sensation actually seemed possible. The German handball players had led by three goals shortly before the end of the first round of the semi-finals at the European Championships. There were still two when we went into the cabin. In the end, as many expected, the Danes cheered. The world champion and tournament favorite won 29:26 (12:14).
The turnaround was accomplished with a change of goalkeeper. Emil Nielsen came on for Niklas Landin after the break and brought the German attack to despair. Germany’s handball players missed out on a sensation and are expected to play against Sweden for the bronze medal on Sunday at 3 p.m.
The three-crown team initially had to admit defeat to the French 30:34 in the semi-finals – but a little later the Scandinavians protested against the score. If the DHB team has a duel with Sweden, in addition to bronze, it will also be about a direct ticket for the Summer Olympics in Paris. A decision was still pending on Friday evening.
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After the triumph in Slovenia in 2004 and the gold rush in Poland eight years ago, Germany must continue to strive for its third title at the European Championships. Nevertheless, the DHB team, in which Renars Uscins was the best thrower with five goals, has a chance to win a medal for the first time in five years. Back then, Germany lost the small final against France at the home World Cup and came fourth.
Voted player of the game after the game: Germany’s Renars Uscins
Source: dpa/Tom Weller
Lots of praise at halftime
Gislason had demanded “the best game in decades” from his team and his players hoped for a “magical day”. And Germany was wide awake and forced the Northern European star ensemble around Füchse professionals Hans Lindberg and Mathias Gidsel to make numerous technical errors. Denmark’s handball dominance was wobbling, the spectators accompanied each of their attacks with a shrill concert of whistles.
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Germany maintained its narrow lead, but made more and more mistakes in attack without the ailing right winger Timo Kastening and the veteran Kai Häfner, who had already left for personal reasons. During this weak phase, we could once again rely on goalkeeper Andi Wolff and the German defenders, who repeatedly robbed Denmark of the ball. Two and a half minutes before halftime, the DHB team extended its lead to three goals for the first time. The hall was raging.
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DHB sports director Axel Kromer praised the courage of the German team at halftime. “Insanely intense, emotional, merciless in defense and Renars Uscins rose from the ashes like a phoenix,” said Kromer about the U21 world champion, who set many successful accents.
Germany’s courage left immediately after half-time and Denmark turned the game around. The fact that the world champion didn’t completely run away was due to Wolff’s once again outstanding parrying. The DHB team briefly recovered and the defense moved first class. There was no one left in the seats in the Cologne Arena.
On the Danish side, keeper Emil Nielsen was now at his best and thwarted one German attack after another. Gislason’s team fought but looked exhausted. The movements were no longer as fluid as they were in the first half. Around 14 minutes before the end of the game, the top favorites took the lead with three goals for the first time. The Olympic silver medalist no longer gave up this lead and thus destroyed Germany’s dreams of a gold medal at the home European Championships.
He brought the turnaround: Emil Nielsen made numerous saves after being substituted on
Source: AFP/INA FASSBENDER
Previously, Olympic champion France qualified for the final on Sunday in a highly dramatic semi-final. The team won 34:30 after extra time against Sweden, who had already looked like the sure winner shortly before the end of regular time.
