Wobbled, fought, won: Germany’s women’s handball team got off to a great start at the European Championships. After initial difficulties, the team of national coach Markus Gaugisch won against Poland with 25:23 (11:12) and with the first two points headed straight for the main round.
In Podgorica, backcourt player Alina Grijseels from Borussia Dortmund was the best scorer with eight goals, captain Emily Bölk only ran hot in the second round and still scored six goals.
“It was hard work,” said Grijseels, “but we knew that Poland are a strong team. At half-time we said to ourselves that we needed more speed and aggression, and that’s how we won the game next games we have to be in from the start.”
The German team seemed nervous in front of around 400 spectators in the Moraca Arena, especially at the beginning, but got into the game better and better. Meanwhile, Poland has been waiting for a win at a European Championship since 2014: in 2016, 2018 and 2020 the team was eliminated in the preliminary round.
Upcoming opponents Montenegro also wins
Other preliminary round opponents of the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB) are now co-hosts Montenegro and World Cup fourth Spain – in the duel between the two there was a surprise on Saturday: Montenegro celebrated a clear 30:23 (12:9).
With another win, the main round ticket would already be secure and the first German tournament goal would be achieved. The first three teams in the group of four qualify for the next tournament phase, the points won against the main round opponents are taken with them.
Four goals behind at the beginning
For Gaugisch, the game was also his tournament debut as national coach. “I couldn’t be happier,” he said before the game. However, the beginning was shaky from a German point of view. Bölk and Co. hardly found a way through the Polish cover, got caught again and again and ran into numerous counterattacks. In the 7th minute, the DHB team was two goals behind for the first time, and the gap grew to four goals as a result.
The closer the break got, the better the Gaugisch team found their way. Goalkeeper Katharina Filter also played her part in putting Germany back within striking distance at the start of the second half.
After a very strong start, the game seemed to tip over, the DHB women drew three goals away, and Bölk also came into their own in the offensive game. However, Poland did not let themselves be shaken off – and were ahead again with 14 minutes to go. It went back and forth, Bölk got stronger and stronger, in the end it was just enough.