The World Cup quarter-finals are probably the biggest, most meaningful game for the DHB women in many years. That’s why the game against Brazil is so special.
Third place – directly behind the Champions League final and the Olympic Games: DHB captain Antje Döll places the upcoming World Cup quarter-finals so high in her career, “Semifinals would then of course move to two and the final to one“, says the 37-year-old, who has already experienced a lot in her handball career.
For the third time in a row, the DHB team is in the round of the last eight at a World Cup. Nevertheless, this quarter-final is more meaningful, bigger than any before it. Why?
Reason 1: Home advantage and appeal
With the home World Cup, more eyes are on the German handball players than at other tournaments. In the last preliminary round game against Spain, the team played in front of almost 11,000 fans in the sold-out Westfalenhalle – a record crowd for the DHB women in a competitive home game. “We got a huge stage, we have a lot of fans there. This is incredibly fun“, goalkeeper Katharina Filter summed up the atmosphere. The DHB team has the fans behind them and the home advantage is on their side.
“I hope that we continue to take this with us so that it remains present even after the World Cup“, says Filter. Success as a driver for attention. In order to reach even more people, especially those outside the handball bubble, a place in the semi-finals would be an immense step.
Reason 2: Initial situation is almost never good
The omens for the World Cup quarter-finals have rarely been so good. Coach Markus Gaugisch’s team is in flow. Six wins from six games – the Germans flew through the preliminary and main rounds and gained a lot of self-confidence. There is also a grateful tournament tree with feasible opponents on the DHB team’s side at this tournament. The DHB team is favorite again against Brazil, a somewhat unusual role in a knockout phase. The gate to the semi-finals has rarely been so wide open.
The team also seems stronger mentally. While the team has shown nervous nerves in the past, especially in crucial games, this year they appear more confident, more consistent and more secure. “We have worked extremely hard: where do we want to go and what does it take to get there?“, Xenia Smits explained the transformation.
Reason 3: Top or Flop
The DHB had already announced the goal of the semi-finals at the last home World Cup in 2017. Neither then nor in the meantime did they make it into the top four. The last time the DHB women were in a World Cup semi-final was 18 years ago in France.
The fact is: the game against Brazil decides the success or failure of the World Cup. A win against Brazil would make this tournament the most successful since the bronze medal in 2007. A defeat and another elimination in the quarter-finals would be a disappointment.
“We have no concerns that we can do it,” Xenia Smits was optimistic and referred to the development that the DHB women have already achieved so far. “Nevertheless, we have to win now, otherwise we won’t be much further than we have been in recent years.”