Handball players triumph in the game of fate
Germany wins clearly – and is in the World Cup quarter-finals
Updated on January 23, 2025 – 10:01 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The main round duel against Italy could have meant Germany’s almost certain exit from the World Cup. But things turned out differently.
Germany is in the World Cup quarter-finals. The DHB selection defeated Italy in the fateful game in the main round with 34:27 and thus consolidated second place behind Denmark. Because the Scandinavians then beat Switzerland, the quarter-finals can no longer be taken away from the Germans.
Germany got off to a bad start against Italy and was temporarily behind 4:7. But national coach Alfred Gislason’s team found its rhythm and turned the game around to 15:13 at halftime.
In the second round, the German selection pulled away from the Italians and shone both defensively and offensively. The successor Franz Semper played a key role. The left-hander scored four of the first six goals after the break and thus initiated the clear victory. In the end he had five goals. The Leipzig player has been the 17th player for the German team for the entire tournament, but has not played so far due to slight muscle problems.
Also important: goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, who fended off more than 40 percent of Italy’s attempts with 18 saves and particularly excelled at the seven-meter throws of the opponents. The best German thrower was right winger Timo Kastening with six goals.
But one thing is also clear: to achieve the dream of Germany’s first World Cup medal in 18 years, Germany has to improve significantly. Especially in the first half, the DHB selection was far too imprecise in their passing game, and there was often a lack of speed without playmaker Juri Knorr, who was ill. Just like left winger Rune Dahmke, Knorr suffered from an infection but could return for the final game in the main round against Tunisia on Saturday.
In any case, the DHB selection is already in the knockout phase ahead of the final main round duel with Tunisia on Saturday. The German quarter-finals will take place next Wednesday in Oslo. A possible German semi-final and the final would also be held in the Norwegian capital.