Men’s national coach looks on
Handball women celebrate opening World Cup victory
November 26, 2025 – 8:08 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The German handball players scored the first two points at the start of the home World Cup, but still have some room for improvement. It continues on Friday.
Germany’s handball players started the home World Cup with a sense of success. National coach Markus Gaugisch’s team prevailed against Iceland in Stuttgart with 32:25 (18:14) – without being convincing in terms of play.
In front of 5,527 spectators, Alina Grijseels with seven goals as well as Jenny Behrend and Nieke Kühne (five goals each) were among the best throwers in the German team. The last medal win was 18 years ago. Men’s national coach Alfred Gislason, who watched the game in the stands, was nevertheless optimistic: “I think the team has a decent chance of getting to the semi-finals,” said the Icelander on Sporteurope.TV.
On Friday the DHB selection will meet Uruguay, followed by the preliminary round duel against Serbia on Sunday. The three best teams in Group C qualify for the main round in Dortmund. The quarter-finals will also take place there on December 9th.
The start to the tournament was less confident than hoped. DHB sports director Ingo Meckes had already warned before the first game: “It certainly won’t be fireworks. But the team is ready. It’s about fighting your way into the tournament.”
And that’s exactly what was necessary. Iceland repeatedly posed problems for the German defense with its fast play. A 5-0 run to 10-6 (11th minute) gave the team an early lead, but technical errors and inaccurate shots prevented a clearer lead. At the break, the DHB selection was still ahead with four goals.
After the break, the German team initially increased their lead, but repeatedly allowed Iceland to come close due to their own lack of concentration. The defense, which is otherwise the team’s strength, also showed weaknesses – as in the last World Cup test against Switzerland (35:32).
Goalkeeper Katharina Filter was a stabilizing factor. With over ten saves, she made a decisive contribution to ensuring that the lead was no longer in danger. In the end, the German team celebrated a befitting opening victory – despite some weaknesses during the game.