DHB team races to the semifinals with last-minute genius
What a madness in the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games: 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 force a draw 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 overtime. Coach Alfred Gislason's team defeated Tokyo Olympic champions and European champions 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.
The young DHB squad put on a spectacular performance, silencing the long-time boiling 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 toppled the big favorite.
However, the German team, which started with nine Olympic debutants, was 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, making 23 saves in total. Germany also spoiled the farewell of Nikola Karabatic, who had dreamed of a golden end to his career.
While the DHB women had to throw in the towel after a defeat against France the previous day, the men can now dream even more of the first Olympic gold in indoor handball since the GDR's success in 1980 after their first victory against France in a major tournament in eleven years.
Into extra time in the very last second
Before the game, Gislason emphasized that the team's mood was "overall positive, very good, and very relaxed." However, he was sure: "We have to 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 scored to make it 4:2, the heated atmosphere cooled down a bit.
But this changed quickly again. Because the defense now conceded some easy goals and Andreas Wolff couldn't catch any balls, France took control. Gislason adjusted, bringing in Späth in goal. However, this measure didn't have an immediate effect.
While Späth made some great saves, the German shooters were struggling against 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 squad. Knorr and Co. quickly caught up to within one goal (19:21) and took the lead ten minutes before the end. The final phase was dramatic, with France leading six seconds before the end, but Dika Mem lost the ball - then Renars Uscins' show began.
The DHB handball team's remarkable victory over France was facilitated by goalkeeper David Späth's impressive saves, while Renars Uscins led the charge with 14 goals. During the thrilling final minutes, Uscins orchestrated a comeback, ensuring DHB's qualification for the semi-finals against Spain under the watchful eye of DHB.
DHB's unexpected victory over France marked their first triumph against them in a major tournament in over a decade, potentially setting the stage for the team to secure the first Olympic gold in indoor handball since 1980.
