The dream is alive: The German U21 handball players impressively underlined their title ambitions at the home World Cup and stormed into the semi-finals. Coach Martin Heuberger’s team convincingly won the quarter-finals in Berlin on Thursday evening (29.06.23) against Denmark with 31:26 (17:11) and will fight against Serbia on Saturday in the capital for a place in the final.
Backcourt player Nils Lichtlein with seven goals and the outstanding keeper David Späth were the guarantors of victory for the selection of the German Handball Association (DHB) in the Max-Schmeling-Halle, which had entered the knockout round with a clean sheet and was the favorite on the title applies. After 2009 (in Egypt) and 2011 (in Greece) it would be the third World Cup triumph for young Germans.
Perfect start
“We’ll win the title, I’m convinced of that,” said expert Bob Hanning before the quarterfinals – and the German team came into play perfectly against the offspring of world champion and Olympic silver medalist Denmark. After a quick 3-0 lead, the German team, driven by captain Renars Uscins (Hannover) and Lichtlein (Füchse Berlin), held a continuous lead. The Danes couldn’t find a solution against Heuberger’s team’s variable attacking game.
National coach Gislason sees strong Späth
In front of the eyes of national coach Alfred Gislason, Späth (Rhein-Neckar Löwen) played more and more into the focus with strong saves, at half-time there was a six-goal lead. After the change of sides, the DHB selection cleverly managed the lead, with both teams now lacking the last penetrating power. Späth held the lead several times.