Fourth game, fourth (clear) victory: Germany’s women continue to march confidently through the Handball World Cup in their own country. In the first game of the main round, the Faroe Islands were the “victims” with a score of 36:26 (20:14).
After the impressive preliminary round in Stuttgart, the German handball players not only went to a new venue, but also against an opponent who is at a different level than Iceland, Uruguay and Serbia, against whom there had been clear victories. The Faroe Islands had defeated Spain, among others, in the preliminary round and initially showed how dangerous they are against Germany.
Faroe Islands start well, then Germany pulls away
National coach Markus Gaugisch’s team had major problems in Dortmund for 17 minutes. Things got off to a pretty bad start, the guests even scored 3-2 when they were twice outnumbered, but a little later Xenia Smits gave Germany their first lead (4-3/7th). The Faroe Islands took their goalkeeper out of every attack, and that initially paid off, as the lead continued to alternate until deep into the first half.
In the 18th minute, Jenny Behrend was able to take a two-goal lead in the game for the first time – it was supposed to be the starting signal of a decisive phase. In particular, goalkeeper Kathrarina Filter was particularly impressive, with her saves allowing the DHB women to pull away. They also benefited from the fact that the throws fell almost without exception on the other side; Antje Döll, who was also outstanding, scored her fifth goal to make it 18:11 (26th), and the score went into the locker room with 20:14.
DHB women only let opponents take a quick sniff
After the break, the Gaugisch team remained without a goal for almost five minutes, the Faroe Islands reduced the lead to 16:20 from their point of view – but Behrend restored the old gap in the 39th minute (23:17). The German women briefly let their opponents dream of a turnaround, but as in the first half, the doubts were eliminated after the first few minutes. Also because of several hits into the Faroese women’s empty goal, like at 25:17 (41st).
After that, the opponent ran out of steam, the intensity of the offensive was no longer as high and the concentration errors increased. Because Germany was also negligent with the resulting opportunities, it did not become an even clearer matter. Nevertheless, Alina Grijsels was able to secure a double-digit lead for the first time (28:18/46.).
Gaugisch gives it Substitute players Playtime
Gaugisch then rotated, so his regulars were able to save grains for the next game on Thursday against Montenegro (6 p.m.) and the second row could gain match practice. Substitute goalkeeper Sarah Wachter particularly stood out, but because too many chances were missed in front of her, Germany “only” led 28:20 after 50 minutes.
Three minutes later, the ten-goal lead was restored; it was clear in every phase of the game how much Germany had control of the event. The hosts were not merciless, but still so strong that they confidently brought the game to the finish line, just like the previous three games. And it ended again quite clearly at 36:26, with Grijsels securing the final point seconds before the end.