Handball World Cup: DHB Aim for Semifinals

The DJ in Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle had no doubt that the German handball players would have a successful medal mission. The party hit “The train has no brakes” boomed through the loudspeakers as over 10,000 fans frenetically bid the DHB team farewell towards the World Cup quarter-finals. Will the German team slam on the brakes on Tuesday (5:15 p.m./ZDF) or will the train continue on to the final weekend in Rotterdam?

“It’s going to be a big game. The path to the semi-finals is clear,” said backcourt player Emily Vogel after the 29:25 at the end of the main round against Spain. Vogel expects a “goosebumps game in front of an outstanding backdrop”. Captain Antje Döll spoke of a “great opportunity” and the biggest game of her career. Xenia Smits called the knockout game on free TV a “huge opportunity for German women’s handball”.

The DHB team is in a brilliant World Cup frenzy. The question is: when does the hangover start? Six games, six confident victories have players, coaching staff and fans alike dreaming of their first winter fairy tale since winning bronze in the 2007 World Cup. The faith was “abnormally great,” reported Vogel, radiating pure optimism.

Does Inspector Döll have the right nose?

Who we face on Tuesday will be decided in the evening. Olympic champion Norway or Brazil? Nobody doubts that the Scandinavians will prevail. “Brazil will be similar to Spain. But we don’t have to be afraid,” said Döll, who works in her second job as a commissioner and already has a good nose. The 37-year-old chose Brazil as her opponent.

Nobody in the German selection can remember the last time their self-confidence was so high. “I have a feeling that I have never had before in any other tournament. We have gained a lot of self-confidence. Everyone performs well and is 100 percent there and ready. The feeling in this team is not comparable to the feelings before,” reported leader Döll, who has been captain since March.

Record setting in Dortmund

The defense around Pereira’s aggressive Aimée doesn’t allow much. Goalkeeper Katharina Filter is the usual strong support. And the long sessions, which were intended to improve the tempo game, also paid off – even if the game against Spain was characterized by a few mistakes in the finish at times. In the end, they passed the stress test, as Gaugisch called the last main round game, confidently.

Handball also inspires fans. 10,522 spectators were there on Saturday – more than ever before for a competitive German women’s game in their own country. During the game, a La Ola swept through the arena and hundreds of Germany flags framed the parquet.

Even an hour after the final whistle, fans – especially children – waited patiently in front of the interview zone and begged for autographs and selfies. Many spectators came in the special pink jerseys. The DHB campaign “Hands up for more”, which was launched specifically for the World Cup – a movement for the sustainable development of women’s handball – seems to be having an impact.

For the first time on free TV: “We can win a lot”

And on Tuesday the stage will be even bigger – not in Dortmund’s Westfalenhalle, but in front of the screens. For the first time at this World Cup, a game will be shown on free TV. Until now, the games could only be seen on the Sporteurope.TV streaming service. DHB President Andreas Michelmann described this situation as “a disgrace”. A possible semi-final and final would be shown on ARD.

For national coach Gaugisch, the additional attention is an incentive to keep his heart on the floor. “This is very important because we can win a lot. We can present ourselves here at home. I feel zero point zero burden,” he emphasized.

It is clear that the toughest opponent in the tournament so far awaits the German selection on Tuesday. The support of the fans is all the more important. “Everyone who comes here has to know their role. They support us and put pressure on the opponent. I hope for this atmosphere. Because if we win this game, we will all have achieved something,” the national coach sent as a clear task to the German supporters.