The German handball players’ European Championship journey continues after their best tournament performance to date. In Herning, Juri Knorr, who had recently been weak, broke out of his performance slump and played a decisive role in the 38:34 (19:15) win against France with 10 goals.
Ten goals from fourteen shots and two assists. The “Man of the Match” stood out in front of 10,850 spectators in the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning in the narrow victory against the defending champions. While the German team couldn’t get superstar Dika Mem under control, especially in the first half, the French left-hander was largely out of action after the break. This was due to the consistently aggressive coverage and an improvement from the two German keepers.
While only left winger Hugo Descat (9) and top scorer Mem (11 goals and 6 assists) were convincing in France, many players took responsibility in Germany. Marko Grgic (4) played an equally strong game as Johannes Golla (4) and Renars Uscins (5). Germany will face Croatia or Iceland in the semi-finals, depending on the Danes’ result in the evening.
Dika Mem cannot be protected by German cover
The game in Herning started with a bit of confusion for the DHB team. First Marko Grgic scored to make it 1-0 (2nd), only to receive a two-minute penalty while running back because the Flensburg man interfered with the French throw-off. A tough decision, but the national coach was happy with the first ten minutes. Only Mem couldn’t get the German cover under control.
The left-hander hit seven of his nine throws in the first half and almost single-handedly kept the French in the game. Because in the absence of defense chief Tom Kiesler, the defense around Johannes Golla and Justus Fischer had the remaining exceptional French talents largely under control. In the 14th minute, Fischer showed that he can also be a factor in attack.
In defense and attack with important impulses: Justus Fischer
The Hanoverian scored 8:7 under pressure from two Frenchmen. It was the start of a 4-0 run, driven mainly by substitute Knorr. The director overcame the opposing goalkeepers a total of six times in the first half, but also shone as a preparer. While the French were still in the retreat phase, the 25-year-old served Fischer to make it 13:9 (21st).
Juri Knorr impresses as the best goalscorer
Before the break, the DHB defense revealed weaknesses against the accurate right winger Yanis Lenne. Despite small angles, the left-hander was able to overcome Andreas Wolff in goal three times. It hasn’t generally been the goalkeepers’ game so far, neither Wolff nor the French duo have been able to record many saves. The break started with an energetic performance from captain Golla, who sank the ball into the goal from nine meters in the second wave.
Knorr continued his strong performance after the break and scored the first two German goals to make it 21:16 (32nd). But Mem continued to show no weakness, but received too little support. Then David Späth and Remi Desbonnet found their way into the game better between the posts, the Frenchman took the first throw from Knorr on his eleventh attempt (37th) and ended up making ten saves.
Späth and Wolff unnerve the French attackers
But because Späth was also there against Lenne and Ludovic Fabregas, the DHB team maintained a narrow lead of four goals. In the 48th minute, Gislason Wolff moved back into the German goal, which immediately paid off. The Kiel player saved the ball from Thibaud Briet on the line (30:28) and five minutes later from the free Nicolas Tournat. This gave the Germans a boost, who maintained their lead until the end because Wolff held on and Köster made it 36:32 one minute before the end.
