In modern handball, it is not often that television focuses on a professional rushing to the substitution bench. The game is too fast, the following attack and the next goal come too quickly. In the first semi-final of the 17th European Championship, however, the responsible picture director decided to show a young man, even though he no longer had anything to do with the game after the change. In doing so, his television colleague demonstrated an extremely keen feel for the sport.
Because Justus Fischer, who was now smiling and high-fiving his teammates off the ball, had literally demoralized the Croatian attackers with his lightning-fast arms in the 60 seconds beforehand. First the 22-year-old blocked a huge jump shot from Ivan Martinović, then a slingshot from Tin Lučin – and finally a throw from Mateo Maras. “That sequence after halftime,” said Fischer after the final whistle with a broad grin, “that was pretty cool.”
A momentous hat trick
This hat trick in the German middle bloc turned out to be, to use the economist Joseph Schumpeter’s catchphrase, creative destruction. Because now the offense suddenly shone and created many clear throwing positions. In a phase “in which everything worked” (captain Johannes Golla), national coach Alfred Gíslason’s team pulled away to 24:17 (40th).
And since the German handball players didn’t lose their nerve despite a weaker phase, they saved this lead over time and won in Herning, Denmark, with 31:28 (17:15). Croatia – and can now actually dream of the title.
National coach Gíslason said he was extremely proud of his team, “it was a strong team performance.” The Icelander, who has a penchant for defensive play, couldn’t believe what Fischer had done. “I think that was a tournament record.” On Sunday it will be against the world champion and towering tournament favorite Denmarkwhich defeated Iceland with 31:28 (14:13) goals in the second semifinal.
They passionately ruin the opponent’s moves
The German handball players have not won against the Danes since 2016. There were many bad defeats like in the 2024 Olympic final, when they suffered a defeat of historic proportions with 26:39 goals. Actually, the next defeat is inevitable. But it wasn’t just the narrow 26:31 defeat against the Danes in this year’s European Championship main round that made the young German team taste blood.
It is the defensive bulwark in particular that makes even the third European Championship title after 2004 and 2016 no longer seem utopian. “We defended outstandingly,” said right winger Lukas Zerbe, the best German shooter with six goals. And added with a determined look: “If we defend like we did today, then we can beat any team.” By which he meant: these Danes too.
The German defense was even missing “the best defender of the tournament” (Gíslason) due to a gastrointestinal infection. Gummersbach’s Tom Kiesler, who defended everything that came his way in his tournament debut with astonishing clarity, had already had to pass in the win against France. But in the center of defense, unlike many other top nations, Gíslason has many outstanding professionals who passionately ruin the opponent’s moves.
