DHB team races to the semifinals with last-minute genius
What a madness in the Olympic quarter-finals: The German handball national team is trailing France by five goals in the second half, but fights back in the cauldron of Lille. In the very last second, they manage to draw level and storm into the semi-finals.
Heroically into the semi-finals: Germany's handballers are reaching for the long-awaited Olympic medal after a crazy comeback and dramatic extra time. The team led by coach Alfred Gislason defeated Tokyo Olympic champion and European champion France 35:34 (29:29, 14:17) after extra time, qualifying for the Olympic semi-finals for the first time since the bronze medal in 2016. On Friday, the German team will face Spain.
On Wednesday, the young DHB team put on a spectacular performance, silencing the long-simmering cauldron of Lille. The approximately 27,000 predominantly French fans in the converted football stadium Stade Pierre-Mauroy first saw Germany equalize with the final whistle - and then win in extra time, led by the unstoppable Renars Uscins. Captain Johannes Golla and Co. had indeed brought down the big favorite.
The German team, with nine Olympic debutants, had been trailing 14:20 in the second half before fighting their way back. Goalkeeper David Späth stood out with his saves, while the youngest player, Uscins, was the top scorer with 14 goals. France's Vincent Gerard prevented more goals with his spectacular performance and 23 saves. With this brilliant victory, Germany also spoiled the farewell of Nikola Karabatic's dream of a golden career ending.
While the DHB women had to throw in the towel after a defeat against France the day before (23:26), the men can now dream more than ever of the first Olympic gold in indoor handball since the DDR victory in 1980 after the first victory against France in a major tournament in eleven years.
Into extra time in the last second
Before the match, Gislason emphasized that the team's mood was "overall positive, very good, and very relaxed." However, he was sure: "We must show one of the best games of the last years - if not the best game." And that's exactly what happened in the initial phase. When Knorr and Heymann made it 4:2, the heated atmosphere cooled down a bit.
But this changed quickly again. Because the defense now conceded some easy goals over the circle and Andreas Wolff couldn't catch any balls, France took control. Gislason adjusted, bringing in Späth in goal at 7:9. However, this measure didn't have an immediate effect.
While Späth showed strong saves right away, the German shooters were failing at the former Kieler Gerard in the French goal. France pulled ahead to 17:12 at one point. But Späth brought Germany back into the game with great reflexes before the break.
And even the French quick start in the second half with three goals in a row (14:20) didn't impress the DHB team. Knorr and Co. caught up again within a few minutes, taking the lead with about ten minutes left. The final phase was dramatic, with France leading six seconds before the end with the ball in their possession. But then Dika Mem lost the ball - and Renars Uscins' show began.
This remarkable victory over France in the Olympic quarter-finals sets Germany's handball team on a path towards potentially securing their first Olympic gold in indoor handball since 1980. With the dramatic 35:34 extra time victory, they will face Spain in the semi-finals of the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.
The handballers outplayed their opponents in the final minutes, snatching an equalizer in the dying seconds of regular time and then clinching victory in extra time, ensuring an unforgettable Olympic journey.
