Lots of compensation, no reward: Germany’s handball players showed a remarkable reaction, but gambled away a prestigious victory in Spain on the home straight. The team of national coach Alfred Gislason lost 31:32 (13:13) to the Olympic bronze medalist in a very exciting World Cup endurance test despite a very strong Andreas Wolff.
In front of 4200 spectators in Jaen, Andalusia, Kai Häfner scored nine goals and was the best thrower for the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB), which presented itself significantly improved two days after the disappointing performance against European champions Sweden (33:37). Unlike in Mannheim, the defense with the inner block Johannes Golla and Julian Köster was particularly convincing.
On the offensive, too, Germany kept finding playful solutions in the last international match. The encounter in the EHF EURO Cup ended in the fifth DHB defeat against Spain in a row, because the German team made a few mistakes too many in the last few minutes. Circle runner Tim Zechel only hit the crossbar in the final seconds.
Two more World Cup tests will follow in early January
Before the World Cup in Poland and Sweden (January 11th to 29th), Gislason gathers his team again shortly before Christmas for a short course in Barsinghausen. Two more tests against Iceland will follow on January 7th and 8th, before the World Cup group E against Qatar (January 13th), Serbia (January 15th) and Algeria (January 17th) in Kattowitz for a place in the main round goes.
The game in Spain was the final endurance test against a world-class team. Gislason initially switched to four positions offensively against the “emotional setback” against Sweden: Lukas Mertens and Lukas Zerbe were allowed to play on the outside. Luca Witzke acted as a playmaker, with Philipp Weber playing on the left.
The inner block, which Gislason described as a “construction site” after the Sweden game, was much more stable. In addition, Andreas Wolff was a real support between the posts. “Defense is very good, Andi very good,” praised Gislason during a break: “Very strong boys, we just have to keep a cool head.”
DHB team more and more careless in attack from behind
On the offensive, sloppiness crept in as the game went on. Spain quickly caught up with Germany’s first two-goal lead (10:8/20.) because the guests threw away too many balls. It was mainly thanks to Wolff that the game remained tight.
“We acted more confidently and had good phases in defence. Andreas Wolff nailed the goal”, praised DHB sports director Axel Kromer at halftime – and saw a short time later how his team continued to tighten the game despite a nervous restart.
Spain, Germany’s possible quarter-final opponents at the World Cup, now pushed the pace, led by exceptional player Alex Duschebayev. But Germany kept up and took the lead for the first time after the break at 22:21 (43 rd ). At 26:24 (38 th ) this grew to two hits, but the Spaniards came back in the heated final phase.