Shortly before the Handball World Cup in Germany and the Netherlands, the DHB women put on a gala performance in the test against Switzerland on Thursday evening – especially in the second round. In the end it was 35:17 for Markus Gaugisch’s team, at half time the score was 13:12.
64 seconds before the final siren, the national coach took another time out. There were one or two puzzled and annoyed faces on the Swiss side – after all, the game had long since been clearly decided. But Gaugisch obviously wanted to take full advantage of this test in St. Gallen to prepare for the World Cup from November 26th to December 14th. That’s why shortly before the end he drew another move on his tactics board, which his team then apparently implemented.
While in the first half only the defense was good, the second half was a strong demonstration of power. The 22:5 after the change showed a class difference in which the Swiss were forced to lose the ball one after the other. Gaugisch then analyzed at DF1: “It was important to me that we implemented everything that was specified. And we were able to use all the players, which is also good for the World Cup – because we have to go above and beyond.”
DHB women’s coach Markus Gaugisch was very satisfied in St. Gallen
Grijseels the best shooter
Playmaker Alina Grijseels was the best thrower of the DHB selection with six goals, with Gaugisch trying out different constellations in defense and attack. After the stuttering start, an 8-1 run after the restart and the German defense, which only allowed five goals after the break, brought the decision. The dress rehearsal for the home tournament now follows on Saturday (2.30 p.m.) in Göppingen, before Iceland is the first World Cup opponent in Stuttgart next Wednesday.
Gaugisch’s team initially had a very difficult time against the outsiders in front of 1,461 spectators. Although goalkeeper Katharina Filter defused, among other things, a seven-meter penalty in the early stages, the German offensive game didn’t get rolling at all. After being behind for a while, Emily Vogel equalized to make it 6:6 in the 19th minute. As was often the case in the long preparation, Germany initially acted offensively without a classic pivot and instead with four backcourt players, but thus developed little penetration. Gaugisch adjusted after a timeout and brought Lisa Antl to the circle to create more gaps.
Wachter is a very good filter replacement
The measure and the greater breadth in the German squad ultimately paid off. After the break, Germany pulled away by consistently converting their chances. At 21:13 (41st), the lead grew to eight goals. The DHB women didn’t let up defensively either. Sarah Wachter, who moved into goal for Filter in the second period, was able to rely on strong defense and also made some good saves.
Germany is dreaming of their first World Cup medal at the World Cup since bronze in 2007 – and the draw meant well for the DHB team. After the opening game against Iceland, Uruguay (November 28th) and Serbia (November 30th) are the remaining tasks in the solvable preliminary round group. The main round in Dortmund is about the targeted quarter-finals, which the German team would also contest in the Westfalenhalle.