The German national handball team won against Brazil in Flensburg. However, the penultimate test before the World Cup was not convincing at times.
The German team is apparently well prepared for the 2025 Handball World Cup. In the penultimate test match before the world tournament, national coach Alfred Gíslason’s team beat outsiders Brazil in Flensburg with 32:25 (13:13). It was the 14th German victory in the 15th game against the South Americans.
Captain Johannes Golla said on ZDF after the game: “We needed the first 15 minutes to get into the game. After that we did better and played better, especially in the second half. That’s how the result came about.”
The best throwers for the Olympic silver medalist were Renārs Uščins, Marko Grgić and Lukas Zerbe with four goals each. Both teams will meet again on Saturday for the World Cup dress rehearsal in Hamburg. Next Wednesday (January 15th) the German squad will begin its medal mission with the game against Poland. Other opponents in the preliminary round are Switzerland and the Czech Republic.
Final whistle – The encounter in Flensburg is over. Germany deserved to win 32:25. National coach Gíslason’s team only convinced in the second half, but they did it correctly. The DHB team scored 19 times in the second half alone, with the strong Knorr and Uščins in particular providing highlights.
55th minute – The Brazilians take the last timeout of the game.
53rd minute – That should almost have been it for the German team. Fischer scores 29:23.
50th minute – Now the silver medalists of Paris 2024 are gaining momentum. Mertens scores 27:20.
49th minute – Birlehm shows his first strong save. This makes it 25:20 for Germany.
45th minute – Knorr serves Kastening exemplary on the outside and the lively striker throws in to make it 22:18.
44th minute – Zerbe converts a seven-meter shot precisely at the top left of the goal. The DHB team is now leading 21:17. This advantage is a bit more reassuring.
43rd minute – There is a change in the German goal. Birlehm comes into play for Späth.
42nd minute – Julian Köster scores with a powerful throw to make it 20:17 for the DHB team. Brazil is taking a break.
41st minute – …Bryan Monte is carried off the field by his teammates. Apparently he wasn’t seriously injured. The spectators applaud.
41st minute – It becomes very quiet in the hall. A Brazilian lies on the ground after a defensive action. Apparently it hit him harder. But just under a minute left…
39th minute – Now Germany can set itself apart for the first time. Mertens and Golla scored the goal to make it 18:16.
38th minute – The German team is playing better than at the beginning, but they can’t really shake off the Brazilians. Even if Kastening throws in from outside to make it 16:15.