The German handball players started the Olympic qualifying tournament on Thursday in Hanover with a 41:29 (16:13) win against Algeria. But against the blatant outsiders, coach Alfred Gislason’s team fell far short of expectations for a long time.
One thing was clear immediately after the final whistle: If the DHB selection wants to get their ticket to the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26th to August 11th), they will have to improve significantly in their other two games in the group of four. On Saturday (2:20 p.m.) we face Croatia at the same venue, and on Sunday (2:10 p.m., live on Erste) against Austria. Only the two best teams win the ticket for the Olympic tournament in France. And only if qualification is reached, Gislason’s contract will be extended until 2027. Austria and Croatia will meet in the evening.
Changes in the DHB squad compared to the EM
Gislason had made some personnel changes compared to the home European Championships in January. Playmaker Marian Michalczik from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf was back in the squad after recovering from an injury. Unlike Philipp Weber, who hasn’t played too many games recently at SC Magdeburg.
Franz Semper from SC DHfK Leipzig is also celebrating his comeback in the DHB dress, replacing veteran Kai Häfner in the right backcourt. Circular Justus Fischer from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf had to miss the game due to a broken thumb, and Martin Hanne (back injury), his teammate at the club, also had to miss the international matches in familiar surroundings.
Germany off the roll before the break
After ten minutes everything looked like it was going to happen, so in front of 10,099 spectators in the sold-out arena everything was about to go ahead against the penultimate World Cup team in 2023. The DHB team led 9:5 – local hero Renars Uscins made sure of that with his third goal. Since the 6-0 defense of the DHB selection proved to be right in the following period, with one or two balls being intercepted and goalkeeper Andreas Wolff being there with strong saves, the lead grew to seven goals (13:6/17 . and 16:9/25.). But then suddenly it was cut off.
Gislason’s team lacked consistency in attack and the North Africans exploited the gaps in the German defense to score one goal at a time in the final minutes of the first half. One player in the Algerian team in particular stood out: Messaoud Berkous contributed three goals to the 4-0 run. After half the game, Germany suddenly only led by three goals, 16:13, and that didn’t meet their own expectations at all.
DHB selection is decisive
After the restart, the lead narrowed to two goals before the DHB selection finally shifted up a gear or two. Uscins repeatedly came through in the right back area. With his ninth goal in the 49th minute he made it 30:21. The game was decided early. Although the North Africans fought self-sacrificingly in the final minutes, it was also clear that they were running out of strength. Ultimately it was a lackluster opening win for the DHB selection. “Man of the match” was Uscins, who was also the hosts’ most successful player with ten goals.
Germany – Algeria 41:29 (16:13)
Deutschland: Späth, Wolff – Uscins 10, Golla 7, Köster 5, Mertens 4, Semper 3, Zerbe 3/1, Dahmke 2, Kastening 2, Knorr 2, Heymann 1, Lichtlein 1, Steinert 1, Kohlbacher, Michalczik
Algeria: Ghedbane, Zemouchi – Ayoub 8, Berkous 6, Nori Selim 4, Blida 2, Hadj Sadok 2, Khermouche 2, Hichem 1, Kaabeche 1, Rayane 1, Saker 1, Zennadi 1, Hacene-Djaballah, Hani Abderrafik, Meddahi
Referee: Julian Lopez Grillo (Argentina)/Sebastián Lenci (Argentina)
Viewers: 10.099
Penalty minutes: 4 / 6
This topic in the program:
NDR 2 Sport | March 14, 2024 | 11:03 p.m
