Three games, three games: The German handball players finished the preliminary round of the World Cup with a full number of points. However, the team did not always present itself confidently against the Czechs.
The German national handball team also won the third preliminary round game at the Handball World Cup. In Herning, Denmark, national coach Alfred Gislason’s selection won 29:22 (11:11) against the Czech Republic. Renārs Uščins was the top German goalscorer in the Jyske Bank Boxen with eight goals.
Despite the clear final result, his team found it very difficult at times against the tough Czechs. As in the two preparatory games against Brazil and the World Cup matches against Poland (35:28) and Switzerland (31:29), the team had some problems, especially in the first half.
The outstanding goalkeeper David Späth was voted player of the game. After the final siren, he said on ARD: “We had a bit of a hard time at the beginning, but once we get going, it’s very difficult to hold on.” He is happy that he played his part in the victory.
With six points from the three preliminary round games, Germany has secured a perfect starting position for the main round. There the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB) is against Denmark, Italy and Tunisia. Read everything about the mode of the Handball World Cup.
Gislason sent a new middle block into the race with Justus Fischer and Lukas Stutzke, this time Lukas Zerbe and Lukas Mertens were allowed to play on the wings – but as with the victories in the first two games, Poland and Switzerland, there was initially a lack of looseness and self-confidence.
After six minutes, the DHB selection had already rejected two seven meters. First Zerbe was denied by the Kiel goalkeeper Tomáš Mrkva, and Marko Grgić threw past the goal. The result: the Czech Republic led 4-2 after eleven minutes. “The team has to suffer for every goal,” said TV expert Johannes Bitter.
Gislason reacted and brought in captain Johannes Golla, his regular circle player, for Fischer. In goal, Späth replaced the hitherto hapless Andreas Wolff when the score was 4:6 (14th). The DHB selection now found its way into the game better without shining. At the back, Späth made important saves, while at the front, playmaker Juri Knorr took control of the German game.
The backcourt player equalized with a double strike within 13 seconds, and Uščins made it 9:8 (21st), giving Germany the first lead since 1:0. Because a goal from Julian Köster was disallowed at the final siren, we went into the dressing room with a draw.
After the break the knot came loose. Späth remained a factor at the back, Germany finally scored easy goals up front. Gislason’s team punished the Czech mistakes, in a power-numbered situation both Golla and keeper Späth scored into the empty goal and made it 19:14 (41st). The German team’s self-confidence now grew noticeably and in the end the DHB selection won clearly.