It was the expected endurance test before the European Championships: Germany’s handball players went through ups and downs in Croatia and cracked their supposed feared opponent.
Germany’s national handball team won their test match against vice world champion Croatia with 32:29 (17:14) on Thursday. An exciting, hard-fought game developed in front of 15,200 spectators in Zagreb. With the victory, the German Handball Federation (DHB) team ended a series of four defeats in a row against Croatia. The team’s top scorers were Johannes Golla, Juri Knorr and Renars Uscins with five goals each.
The game was the first of two duels against the Croatians. The “second leg” takes place on Sunday in Hanover (live from 6:05 p.m. on Erste and on sportschau.de). It is also the dress rehearsal before the European Championships from January 15th to February 1st in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Germany will play its first group game against Austria on Thursday, January 15th at 8:30 p.m.
More than seven minutes without conceding a goal
National coach Alfred Gislason was particularly pleased with the final phase of the first half. After a balanced start, his team was behind 12:14 after a goal from Mario Sostaric in the 22nd minute. It would be Croatia’s last goal until the half-time siren.
The defense and goalkeeper David Späth closed the gap at the back, while Renars Uscins and Johannes Golla scored twice at the front and Marko Grgic converted his second seven-meter penalty. With a 5-0 run and more than seven minutes without conceding a goal, the DHB team gained a 17:14 half-time lead.
Gislason emphasized that when putting together the squad, he primarily looked at the defense. The impressions from Zagreb should encourage him to be on the right path. Team manager Benjamin Chatton said during the break: “We stood up to each other in different defensive formations, and I particularly liked that.”
Kuzmanovic not in action
Croatia fielded five Bundesliga professionals: goalkeeper Matej Mandic (SC Magdeburg), David Mandic (MT Melsungen), Veron Nacinovic (THW Kiel) and Josip Simic (HSG Wetzlar). Gummersbach’s keeper Dominik Kuzmanovic was missing.
Croatia coach Dagur Sigurdsson, who became European champions with Germany in 2016, apparently found the right words during the half-time break, Croatia started the second half with a double strike from Ivan Martinovic.
Späth and Mandic with a strong phase
A balanced phase then began, in which the goalkeepers Späth and Mandic came into the spotlight with strong saves. Although Germany had to accept the equalizer several times, they usually had the right answer in the direct counterattack.
Germany’s David Späth celebrates his parade
Gislason rotated frequently, as would be expected in a friendly. The EM newcomers Tom Kiesler, Matthes Langhoff, Miro Schluroff and Mathis Häseler were also able to audition intensively. Before the start of the European Championship, Gislason still has to remove two players from the squad.
Slavic also shines in goal
In the middle of the second half, Sigurdsson brought in his nominal third goalkeeper Dino Slavic – and the man from Limoges Hand 87 grew beyond himself. He showed one save after another, including a seven-meter penalty from Grgic (22′). He gave Croatia a narrow lead.
But Germany didn’t let themselves be disturbed, regained the lead with three goals from Häseler – and brought it home.