The handball party in Germany is slowly but surely picking up speed. The German team also showed a strong performance in the second game of the European Championship and celebrated a confident 34:25 (18:13) win against North Macedonia.
After their second win in the second game, the Germans have already secured a place in the main round at their home tournament, which begins next Thursday in Cologne. Before that, it’s all about winning Group A against France on Tuesday. The Macedonians, who had no chance against the strong Germans, were eliminated.
The outstanding player on the DHB side was Juri Knorr, who not only thrilled the Berlin audience with ten goals, but also shone as a game designer with seven assists.
Whistles for Olaf Scholz in the stands
The Germans wanted to take the momentum from their brilliant opening win against Switzerland. And that succeeded. The DHB team started again concentrated and effective and, above all, aggressive in defense. Gislason placed his trust in his young U21 world champion Renars Uscins, who moved into the first seven in the right back for Kai Häfner, who became a father for the second time on Friday. The interaction with Knorr in particular worked very well.
Although the backdrop in the Berlin Arena wasn’t quite as impressive as the world record game four days ago in Düsseldorf, the almost 13,600 spectators also made for a very atmospheric handball evening in the capital. There were only one whistle: when Chancellor Olaf Scholz was greeted in the stands by the hall announcer.
Knorr, the difference player
The Germans consistently played down their match plan. It was difficult for the Macedonians, who were classified as uncomfortable, to get through. Knorr and Co. had the strongest phase when they went from 10:6 to 14:8 in the middle of the first half. The German fans were thrilled, especially when the young local hero scored.
In the 24th minute, Nils Lichtlein from Füchse Berlin, who had been added to the squad, scored the goal to make it 15:9, his first European Championship goal. Germany had gained a comfortable lead early on. Outstanding: Juri Knorr, who scored seven goals from eight attempts in the first half and made the difference.
Gislason could afford to change the goalkeeper early on. Andreas Wolff, who didn’t get to the fore this time, made way for youngster David Späth at the end of the first half. We went into the break with a comfortable five-goal lead. “We are fully on target”said DHB board member Axel Kromer during the break.
Späth heats things up
And it should get even better. After the break, the Germans pulled ahead to 21:13. “Germany, Germany” – as in Düsseldorf, the players could also be sure of indoor support in Berlin. The focus now: David Späth, who took over the Wolff role from the Switzerland game, held up well and also roused the fans with his refreshing gestures of celebration.
On the offensive, however, the young German team made several sloppy moves, finishing too early or carelessly losing the ball. North Macedonia went on a 4-1 run. Gislason immediately intervened and made a clear announcement during a timeout. “There’s a bit of embers coming out of the volcano”sports show expert Dominik Klein aptly commented in the audio stream.
The Icelander’s little outburst of anger had an effect. From 22:17, the Germans increased the score to 29:20 (48th) and were already able to conserve their strength at this point. At 31:21, Knorr took a ten-goal lead for the first time. The 23-year-old playmaker also made it 34:25, scoring from seven meters. The Berlin audience had long since stood up from their seats and said goodbye to the German handball players with huge applause.