DHB-Women open Olympics with brutal disappointment
For the first time since 2008, German women's handball team qualified for the Olympics and were favorites in their first group game. However, they struggled against South Korea. The team, coached by Markus Gaugisch, suffered a loss of 22:23 (10:11) in their first match in Paris. This form will not put them in contention for the medal podium.
Germany's handball team experienced a disappointing performance in their long-awaited Olympic comeback, losing their first tournament game against Asian champions South Korea. The team had numerous opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. Right-wing Jenny Behrend commented on Eurosport, "We wanted to win this match naturally. They were well-prepared, we had plenty of chances and didn't use them."
The German team, which had not qualified for the Olympics since 2005, put on a disjointed display, particularly in the offensive end. Captain Emily Bölk and her teammates appeared nervous, lacking the necessary cutting edge and efficiency. Best German scorer in front of 5,765 spectators at Arena Sud 6 was left-wing Antje Döll with six goals.
Gaugisch seemed at a loss on the sidelines. His players on the court gave their poorest performance of the year in the first half and could not confirm the upward trend from test matches. The team's lack of focus persisted even after the break. Poor finishes often negated their good defensive work.
Due to the unexpected loss, the German team is under pressure in the preliminary round group A. Their opponents for the quarterfinals, which the top four teams in the six-team group will reach, are Sweden (Sunday), Slovenia (Tuesday), Denmark (1st August), and Norway (3rd August). The German team's goal is the medal matches.
Tight finish goes to South Korea
"If we want to make it to the quarterfinals, and that's of course the goal, we need to beat South Korea," Co-Captain Alina Grijseels announced with determination and excitement. Her enthusiasm was evident even as the national anthems were played.
However, the good mood did not last long. Slip-ups, a seven-meter throw missed beside the goal, and technical errors gave South Korea reason to believe they could compete. The 6:4 lead after Döll's third goal (13th minute) did not provide much security, and after a quarter of an hour, it was 6:6.
The following phase saw an intense battle, with defensive lines dominating the play. German goalkeeper Sarah Wachter's presence became noticeable, keeping her team in the game with some impressive saves.
In the second half, Gaugisch's team increased their efficiency and found more gaps in the swift South Korean defense. Wachter remained a factor on the other side. The German team built a four-goal advantage (18:14), but the South Korean team fought back and took the lead six minutes before the end (21:20). The match remained closely contested and exciting - with the better outcome for South Korea.
Despite their favourable status, the German handball national team, led by coach Markus Gaugisch, faced challenges in their Group A match at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, eventually losing to South Korea 22:23. The defeat has put pressure on the DHB squad, as they now need to secure victories against Sweden, Slovenia, Denmark, and Norway to contend for the medal matches.
The handball national team's key player, Antje Döll, managed to score six goals in front of the Arena Sud 6 crowd, but the team's inefficiency in executing their offensive plays and concentrated defensive efforts from South Korea proved costly.
