Four days before the European Championship opener against Austria, Germany’s handball players are testing themselves against their feared opponents. After a medal-worthy first half, goalkeeper Andreas Wolff in particular continues to be in top form.
Thanks to an outstanding Andreas Wolff in goal, the German handball players passed their European Championship dress rehearsal and got in the mood for the tournament with their second friendly win against their feared opponents Croatia. The selection of national coach Alfred Gislason continued the strong performance on Thursday in Zagreb and prevailed in Hanover with 33:27 (16:12) against the World Championship runner-up.
In front of 10,427 spectators, Lukas Zerbe and Renars Uscins were the best German throwers with five goals each against the team of former national coach Dagur Sigurdsson. Wolff played the biggest role in the victory with 20 saves and one goal. The veteran saved a seven-meter penalty twice.
After a media day on Monday, the DHB entourage will travel to their EM quarters in Silkeborg in Denmark, which they already knew from last year, on Tuesday. On Thursday, the Olympic silver medalist starts the tournament against Austria in Herning, around 30 minutes away. The preliminary round games against Serbia and Spain then take place every two days.
Only the two best-placed teams in each preliminary group reach the second phase of the tournament, the main round. There Germany would probably meet Olympic champions Denmark, defending champions France as well as fourth-placed World Cup winners Portugal and Norway. Given this difficult draw, Gislason spoke of the most difficult tournament of his coaching career.
Germany can rely on defense
As with the 32:29 defeat in Zagreb, Germany could rely on its goalkeepers. Wolff, who had moved into the starting line-up for David Späth, demonstrated his world class early on with ten saves before the break. The DHB keeper was also helped by his inside block around Tom Kiesler. Together with pivot Justus Fischer, the DHB newcomer repeatedly provoked the Croatians to lose the ball and ensured that the home team led by four goals (13:9) for the first time five minutes before the break.
Gislason appeared unusually satisfied on the sidelines and repeatedly acknowledged his charges’ moves with applause or a thumbs up. In attack, left winger Lukas Mertens in particular did a lot of self-promotion for more playing time. “We’re doing well at the front. We’re calm,” said the Magdeburger at half-time.
As on Thursday, Germany completely missed the start of the second half. Within five minutes, Croatia made it 17:17 – and Gislason’s expression suddenly darkened. Only when the permanent staff of Juri Knorr, Julian Köster and captain Johannes Golla were on the floor did the error rate decrease.
With a 4-0 run, the hosts made it 24:19 again and brought their lead to the finish. Left winger Rune Dahmke was the only player who did not play in both test matches. Gislason had been criticized in advance for his European Championship nomination at the expense of Berliner Tim Freihöfer.
jb/dpa
