Bremen, Germany – The German men’s handball team continued preparations for their home World Championship campaign with a hard-fought 34-33 victory over Egypt in a second test match on Sunday. Although the win boosts morale ahead of the January tournament, a concerning injury to key playmaker Juri Knorr cast a shadow over the performance.
Three days after a less-than-convincing showing in Dortmund, Alfred Gislason’s squad managed to secure the win in Bremen, despite another error-prone display. Julian Köster led the scoring for Germany with six goals. However, the match was marked by an early injury to Knorr, forcing him to watch much of the game from the sidelines.
“We started well, the defense was excellent, and the attack was good in the first half,” Gislason told ProSieben after the match. “Then we lost our way a bit, and the numerous time penalties didn’t help us.”
Knorr’s Injury a Concern for Germany
The biggest worry for Germany stemmed from the early exit of Juri Knorr. The 25-year-old, who currently plays for Aalborg Håndbold, appeared to sustain a leg injury early in the game. He briefly returned to the court in the second half but was unable to continue, understandably cautious ahead of a crucial tournament. Gislason described the injury as a “horse kick,” suggesting a significant impact. Knorr is a vital component of the German attack, and his fitness will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Second Half Struggles and Egyptian Resilience
Despite a strong first half, where Germany built a 19-13 lead, the team struggled after the break. David Späth, the German goalkeeper, highlighted the team’s issues. “The second half was bitter. We made too many mistakes, and Egypt punished us. We can’t afford to play like that,” he stated.
Egypt mounted a strong comeback, narrowing the gap to just three goals within minutes of the second half. The German team committed a series of technical errors, inviting the Egyptians back into the contest. Lasse Ludwig replaced Späth in goal for the second half, but the momentum had shifted.
Looking Ahead: Denmark and the World Championship Draw
Germany’s preparation continues in May with a series of challenging matches. They will face the reigning world champions, Denmark, in Kopenhagen on May 15th, followed by a return match in Cologne two days later. These games will provide a stern test for Gislason’s team as they fine-tune their preparations for the World Championship.
A significant date on the calendar is June 10th, when the draw for the group stage of the home World Championship will take place. Germany will commence their quest for gold in Munich before moving to Cologne for the main round. The future of head coach Alfred Gislason, whose contract expires after the World Championship, remains a topic of discussion, with the coach expressing his desire to continue in the role.
The German team was also without Marko Grgic (infection) and Timo Kastening, who had to withdraw from the squad due to personal reasons. Despite these absences, the team initially displayed offensive prowess, scoring nine goals in the first ten minutes, including three from Knorr before his injury. Johannes Golla and Miro Schluroff stepped up in Knorr’s absence, contributing significantly to the attack.
Defensive Solidity and Goalkeeping Performance
In the first half, the German defense, led by Matthes Langhoff and Tom Kiesler, proved particularly effective, supported by strong goalkeeping from David Späth. Späth’s saves helped extend Germany’s lead to six goals at halftime.
However, the second-half defensive performance was less convincing, allowing Egypt to close the gap. Gislason acknowledged the team’s struggles after the break, emphasizing the costly errors that allowed Egypt to regain control.
Despite the late pressure from Egypt, Germany managed to hold on for the 34-33 victory, thanks to crucial saves from Späth and goals from Lukas Mertens. The win provides a positive boost as the team continues its preparations for the challenges ahead.
The German handball team faces a crucial period of preparation as they aim to make a strong showing at the World Championship on home soil. The injury to Juri Knorr is a concern, but the team will need to rally and overcome this setback as they look to compete for a medal.
Next up for Germany are the matches against Denmark in May, providing a valuable opportunity to test their mettle against one of the world’s best teams. Fans can stay updated on the team’s progress and the World Championship draw through the DHB website.
