The German handball women suffered a setback against the hosts at the European Championships in Montenegro. The DHB team must now tremble to progress.
In the witches’ cauldron of Podgorica, Germany’s handball players showed nerves and conceded their first defeat at the European Championships against Montenegro. Despite the 25:29 (12:15) in the heated duel with the co-host of the finals on Monday evening (November 7th, 2022), the DHB selection, which now has 2:2 points on the account, can continue the main round on its own reach.
“We held back brilliantly here in front of this backdrop. It’s a shame that it wasn’t enough.”said national coach Markus Gaugisch: “We tried everything. A game like this helps us grow.”
In front of 4,500 spectators, Emily Bölk and Alina Grijseels were the best German throwers with seven goals each. At the end of the preliminary round in Group D, the team meets Spain, fourth in the World Cup, on Wednesday (8.30 p.m.). “We made a bit too many mistakes, it’s a bit disappointing today”said Bolk: “Of course you want to take the flow with you at a World Cup like this, but that can’t be changed. We now have to get two points against Spain.”
Rapid loss of rhythm
The German team started well and quickly led 3-1. But the first time penalty in the game for circle runner Meike Schmelzer brought the DHB team out of rhythm. The attack lacked precision at the end, and compactness was lost in defense. The hostesses took advantage of this for a 5-0 run.
Coach Gaugisch reacted at 3:6 (11th minute) with a first time-out. But the German game remained flawed. That played into the hands of the Montenegrins, who also missed numerous chances. After a good 20 minutes, the German team was 8:12 behind by four goals for the first time.
After the change, Germany started energetically and equalized 16:16 within seven minutes. At that point, Xenia Smits was no longer there: The backcourt player had just seen the red card because of her third time penalty.
Bölk takes responsibility
This weakened the German team, especially on the defensive. Although the DHB women fought selflessly, they continued to struggle against the robust hosts in attack.
In the hot final phase, Bölk in particular repeatedly took responsibility from the back and let the DHB team hope for a turnaround with their goals. But the gaps in defense could not be closed, allowing Montenegro to keep hitting back. In the end, the German team ran out of strength.