Handball World Cup
Norway too strong: Germany loses final
Updated 12/14/2025 – 7:02 p.mReading time: 7 minutes
The DHB women managed a big surprise by reaching the World Cup final. In the final, however, Olympic champion Norway was one size too big.
The German handball players missed out on the world championship title. In the final of the World Cup tournament, the DHB selection suffered a 20:23 defeat against Olympic champions and European champions Norway. This meant that national coach Markus Gaugisch’s team failed to win their first World Cup title since 1993.
In a long, exciting duel, the German team put up a long resistance against the superior forces from Norway. At halftime the score was 11:11. Even after Norway pulled ahead by two goals for the first time at the beginning of the second half, the DHB team fought back. But in the final phase Norway remained ice cold and secured the title.
The game to read in the ticker:
Germany – Norway 20:23
60th minute: The next Norwegian attack is basically a match point. Germany defends offensively, but just can’t get the ball. Finally Ingstad scores and puts the lid on it. Germany gets the last attack, but can’t score anymore. Norway is world champion!
59th minute: Germany now needs a quick goal, Leuchter tries but fails on the crossbar. Germany at least remains in possession of the ball. Behrend shortened, but time is running out!
58th minute: Norway is now ice cold and is at 22:19. Germany takes another timeout. Now it’s getting very difficult.
57th minute: Grijseels tanks through, but is still disturbed when throwing. She doesn’t get the foul and unfortunately the ball isn’t in there. Norway plays Aune on the right wing and she makes it 21:19. Grijseels tries again on the half-left, but her throw lands on the post.
55th minute: Vogel plays outstandingly clear to Grijseels and they reduce the deficit to one goal. Deila is placed on the other side of Smits and there are seven meters. But Mork fails because of the filter!
53rd minute: Reistad takes advantage of the chance and puts Norway two goals back in front. Grijseels tanks through on the other side and immediately shortens again. Norway is shown time play, but Reistad finds the goal from the backcourt.
50th minute: Deila can take the lead for Norway. Leuchter tries to equalize from the backcourt, but fails because of Lunde.
48th minute: Norway is looking for the gap, time game is shown. The attempt from a distance is over. Kühne comes through strongly on the other side and equalizes. Norway botches the next attack. The chance for a German lead, but Leuchter has to try from a distance after a time game and fails. Norway is taking a break.
45th minute: On the other hand, Grijseels tanked up and made it 16:15. The defense is now better again, but Ingstad finds the gap and makes it 17:15. Nevertheless, Germany now seems better in the game than at the beginning of the second half. Leuchter climbs up in the backcourt and hammers the ball into the net to make it 17:16.