Germany’s handball players clearly missed the semi-finals at the World Cup.
The team of national coach Markus Gaugisch lost to Sweden, fifth in the European Championship, in the quarter-finals after a weak performance, especially in the first section, with 20:27 (6:16) and is now playing for places five to seven.
“I am very disappointed. We didn’t get what we could on the record. In the first half we were far below our potential. Sweden won all duels, we won none offensively or defensively. We are very sad“Said Gaugisch frustrated. Tears rolled down from leader Emily Bölk.
Alina Grijseels, Viola Leuchter and Amelie Berger (four goals each) were the best throwers for the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB). In the first of two placement games, Germany will face the Czech Republic on Friday (11:30 a.m.). Sweden will face France in the semi-finals.
Collective blackout with almost 15 minutes without a goal of our own
A collective blackout at the start of the game with almost 15 minutes without a goal of their own nipped the German team’s delicate medal dreams in the bud. In attack, the German team hardly developed any threat to score, produced missed throws and technical errors on the assembly line and appeared downright timid against the aggressive Swedish defense.
The German defense had no access at all at the back and goalkeeper Katharina Filter barely held a ball. The completely one-sided game was already decided at halftime in front of around 6,000 spectators in Herning, Denmark. With a significantly improved second half, the German team only prevented an even bigger debacle.
Last medal at the 2007 World Cup
The second defeat in the seventh tournament game meant that the dream of Germany’s first medal at a major tournament since winning bronze in the 2007 World Cup was dashed, as it was in the quarter-finals two years ago. However, the team had already secured their planned participation in an Olympic qualifying tournament in the spring of next year by moving into the knockout phase.