First error festival, then a strong final sprint: Germany’s handball player secured the group win through a draw in Switzerland in the European Championship qualification.
Germany’s handball player stormed towards goal scorer Juri Knorr after the load second compensation, but none really wanted to celebrate the group victory in the European Championship qualification. National coach Alfred Gislason also sat after 32:32 (11:14) with a thoughtful face on the edge of the field, the furious German final sprint had preceded it.
“We can be happy about this point win. We are now through, but that was a shot in front of the bow,” said DHB sports director Ingo Meckes. Alfred Gislason scolded that “some players were far too relaxed”. “The first half was extremely bad of us, attack and defense. The reaction came in the second half, which was much better.”
German handball players create comeback
Germany was left with four goals eight minutes before the end before a strong finish secured the draw. The equalization fell through a seven -meter from Knorr in the final second. In addition to Knorr (6 goals), Luca Witzke (5) and debutant Mathis Häseler (4) also liked when catching up in front of 8354 spectators in the Hallenstadion of Zurich.
Germany now leads the group 8: 2 points in front of Switzerland and Austria (6: 4 each). The conclusion of the European Championship qualification will increase against Turkey in Stuttgart on Sunday (6:00 p.m./Sportschau.de and Dyn).
The European Championship ticket was no longer to be taken over the selection of the German Handball Association (DHB) before the Swiss international. However, first place is important for the final round for the final round. The draw will take place in Herning, Danish in the coming week on May 15th.
“We have to put everything on the game. Then we are no longer to catch up in first place, that’s our goal,” said Gislason before the game – and then had to watch a false start of his team.
DHB team with too many mistakes
Technical inadequacies, hair -raising bad passes and even more granted big opportunities: The German team provided a very weak idea over long distances. Although goalkeeper Andreas Wolff scratched a few balls from the corners, Germany was quickly lying behind and, above all, was extremely difficult.
Because Marko Grgic and Tim Freihofer took two seven-meter crushes unused in the early minutes, Switzerland led 5: 1 after ten minutes. Gislason took his first time out early, changed the entire back room – but even a small thunderstorm of the Icelander did not really help.
Although the now substituted, Miro Schluroff, Knorr and Julian Köster shortened to 4: 5 (15th), the Swiss goalkeeper Nikola Portner from SC Magdeburg nailed the goal and the hosts pulled away again. When the DHB selection conceded two goals to 8:13 even in majority, even a debacle (26th) threatened.
In the second round, too, captain Johannes Golla and Co. struggled in vain. Those who expected the German team to rear up saw themselves deceived at that time. Again and again the Swiss trained by Andy Schmid came to goals with their 7: 6 attack.
Even if the Gummersbacher Häseler – one of seven junior world champions from 2023 – drew attention to himself with fine actions on the right wing: Germany still seemed haphazard. The Gislason team came close to it very late – and Knorr took the chance from seven meters.