After a successful last year, the DHB team would like to attack again at the World Cup. But doubts arise.
“Of course it’s a warning shot”: Playmaker Juri Knorr found clear words for the performance of the German national handball team after the end of the World Cup dress rehearsal. The last test before the start of the World Cup next Tuesday was preceded by a game against Brazil, which the DHB team narrowly won 28:26 in the end, but looked like the worse team for large parts and was lagging behind.
National coach Alfred Gíslason’s team also won the first test against Brazil last Thursday (32:25) – but they weren’t convincing either.
The two “bump victories” are a setback because the German team has had a successful year. She followed up her semi-final appearance at the home European Championships in January last year with a silver medal at the Olympic Games in the summer. Even if the DHB team itself puts the brakes on euphoria: If the upward curve in tournaments continues, the World Cup title would be the next logical step. The demands have increased. But in view of the performances in the last tests, the only thing left to say shortly before the tournament opener against Poland next Wednesday is: That’s not enough.
What may be particularly worrying for the national coach is that his team showed weaknesses at both ends of the field: In the first test, the defense was too rigid in the early stages and allowed too many goals. In the second game she did better at times. But sometimes not. Especially when it was already time for the Brazilians to play, they still managed to get good shots and goals against the German defense with their few passes.
In addition, there was a weak offensive on Saturday. From the start, the DHB stars gave away numerous free throws. A problem that is by no means new during Gíslason’s term in office. At the home European Championships last year, the German team suffered unnecessary defeats due to usury of opportunities.
“Of course I’m not happy with this game,” Gíslason also made it clear at the press conference on Saturday. “Today our big problem in the first half was how we dealt with the chances we actually created,” the national coach continued. He admitted: “After we trained here for a week and it went very well, I would have thought we would play differently.” There were too many fluctuations in both games. “That’s why it worries me because I would have expected it to be a little different.”
The national coach’s disappointment with his team’s performance was also reflected in playmaker Knorr: “We’re driving with the feeling that we’re not getting anything for free,” he said. “That was of course a small setback and we learned that it doesn’t happen on its own.” The opponents at the World Cup are by no means easier to beat than Brazil.
Nevertheless, there is enough reason for the DHB selection not to sink into a mood of crisis. Because even though the signs pointed to defeat for a long time on Saturday, the team came back. In addition to the usual top performers such as Juri Knorr, they were also led by bench players. Goalkeeper David Späth, who replaced Andreas Wolff in the 44th minute, showed an outstanding performance, paved the way for the comeback with numerous saves and really ignited a Hamburg audience that had previously watched the game with North German reserve. And Luca Witzke also brought momentum into the backcourt after his introduction in the second half.