“That was a very strong defensive performance after the break,” said national coach Gíslason happily and stated: “I think we finally won the game, you could say. The Croatians couldn’t help it with their first seven.”
Playmaker Juri Knorr, who was defending on the outside at the time, also praised the performance. “I stood there on the outside and watched,” he said with a smile. “It was crazy how Golli, Fischi and Julian fought and didn’t actually allow anything,” continued Knorr. Together with Andreas Wolff in goal, that was “the key to this victory”. Goalkeeper David Späth certified that the defense had an “amazing performance” and Rune Dahmke also analyzed that this was exactly what “pulled the Croatians’ tooth out”. Lukas Zerbe, Germany’s best thrower with six goals, also saw the key in defense: “What the boys blocked back there was unbelievable.”
However, Justus Fischer was particularly remembered. The young pivot from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf impressed with a scene right at the beginning of the half in which he almost single-handedly caused the Croatian offensive to despair. “Justus Fischer blocked the ball three times in one attack. That’s outstanding, record-breaking in my eyes,” goalkeeper Wolff celebrated his teammate for the scene. Goalkeeper colleague David Späth was also amazed: “What Fischi pulled off in that time – what felt like eight blocks and this body language – was crazy.”
Renārs Uščins even wanted to give the man of the match award, which ultimately went to goalkeeper Wolff, to his Hannover teammate: “For me he was the man of the match because he did the things that no one else sees,” said Uščins. “He was extremely good in defence, defended against the Croatians and made three blocks in one attack,” he continued to praise. “He laid the foundation for us to have a very good defense.” DHB sports director Ingo Meckes went even further and highlighted the 22-year-old Fischer as a central part of the German game: “He is very valuable for our game,” he said. “It doesn’t matter when he’s thrown in, he’s performing at this Euro and he’s making his mark. At the age of 22, that’s wonderful. He works and has a place in the team. He delivers and he did that again today,” he enthused.
