The German handball players lost the first of two international matches against Olympic champions France 31:34 (15:16), but showed some potential with regard to the upcoming European Championships.
The best thrower in national coach Markus Gaugisch’s team was backcourt player Alina Grijseels from Borussia Dortmund with seven goals. The second encounter takes place on Sunday (5:15 p.m.) in Nancy.
The international matches against the runner-up world champion are an important location determination before the European Championship tournament in Slovenia, Montenegro and North Macedonia (November 4th to 20th). “France is the absolute non plus ultra – everything is world class there. We will get feedback on where we still need to improve,” said Gaugisch, who succeeded Henk Groener in April.
In front of 4,500 spectators in the sold-out arena in Metz, his team showed that they can definitely have a say in the European Championship. Supported by a strong goalkeeper Katharina Filter, with 13 saves a safe support, Germany stood up to the favored hosts from the first minute and also took the lead again and again. In the hectic final phase, it was small uncertainties and technical mistakes that decided between victory and defeat.
Left winger Johanna Stockschläder from Thüringer HC played a good game (5 goals), right winger Julia Maidhof from German champions SG BBM Bietigheim scored four times.