Handball - A resounding win against Iran: DHB women reach World Championship main round
The German women's handball team have moved into the main round of the World Championship in Scandinavia ahead of schedule.
The DHB team also easily won their second preliminary round match against the blatant outsiders Iran 45:22 (25:12) to book their ticket for the second phase of the tournament. The best German scorer in Herning, Denmark, was Johanna Stockschläder with eight goals.
The team coached by Markus Gaugisch had won their opening game on Thursday, narrowly beating Japan. The final preliminary round match on Monday against Poland should then be about the important group win. The teams will take their points from the preliminary round into the main round.
There, Germany is likely to face title contenders Denmark, Serbia and Romania, among others, in a group of six. The top two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Iran not a real touchstone
The DHB team had to play Iran for the first time in its international history. This is only the second time the Asian team has taken part in a World Cup. Their only goal is not to finish last. Their main problem is their lack of international experience. With goalkeeper Fatemeh Khalili, only one player plays abroad.
And so it was clear even before the duel that handball dwarf Iran would not be a real touchstone for the DHB team. Whether in one-on-one situations, attempts from the backcourt or in terms of speed, the Asians were inferior in every respect.
And yet the German team found it harder than expected in the first few minutes in front of 1,800 spectators. In attack, the DHB women occasionally failed against the Iranian keeper, while in defense, as against Japan, the team did not play well. In the early stages, the underdogs repeatedly scored through the circle - in the second half, the German defense was more compact.
Difference in class clearly noticeable
The fact that the victory was never in danger was also due to gifts from the Iranians. The fourth-placed team in the Asian Championships relied on seven outfield players in possession, leaving their own goal empty. At the same time, the underdogs conceded many easy goals and the DHB players were able to score easily from their own half.
After 20 minutes, the lead was already 9 goals. The difference in class became more and more noticeable. Iran was overwhelmed by the pace of the Germans. The game in front of an almost empty crowd was more like a training match than a World Cup game.
Before the clash, the DHB team had called for respectful treatment of the religion of their opponents, who play in headscarves. Although the German squad played with the necessary toughness, they repeatedly gave the Iranians time to adjust their headscarves.
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- The DHB women's handball team, coached by Markus Gaugisch, secured their place in the main round of the World Championship, defeating Iran 45:22 in their second preliminary round match.
- Despite a slow start, the German team, including top scorer Johanna Stockschläder, quickly established a significant lead over the inexperienced Iranian team, which was participating in its second-ever World Cup.
- Germany's main round opponents in the World Championship include title contenders Denmark, Serbia, and Romania, as well as other strong teams.
- The Iranian team, which relies heavily on its goalkeeper Fatemeh Khalili, struggled with a lack of international experience and missed out on many opportunities, while the German defense remained resilient.
- In the aftermath of the game, the DHB team emphasized respectful treatment of their opponents' religious beliefs, allowing the Iranian players to adjust their headscarves during play.
- Germany's resounding victory against Iran capped off a successful World Championship preliminary round, in which they also narrowly defeated Japan in their opening match.
- In their final preliminary round match against Poland, Germany aims to secure an important group win and build momentum heading into the main round of the tournament.
- Handball's international scene is diverse and competitive, with teams like Denmark, Japan, and Serbia showcasing their skills and challenging Germany for top honors in the World Championships and other international events.
- The Scandinavian setting of the World Championship served as a chance for the German women's handball team to face top-tier opposition, preparing them for the rigors of the main round and the ensuing knockout stages.
Source: www.stern.de
