DHB women's semi-final dream comes crashing down
Germany's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship for the first time since 2007 were dashed in the first few minutes of the game. In the quarter-final against Sweden, nothing went right, especially in the early stages, and the deficit quickly became unassailable.
Sweden shock instead of a medal dream: Germany's handball players were taught a lesson at the World Championships and missed out on the semi-finals. The team of national coach Markus Gaugisch lost 20:27 (6:16) to Sweden in the quarter-finals after a disastrous first half and their hopes of winning their first medal since bronze at the 2007 World Championships were dashed.
A collective blackout at the start of the game with almost 15 minutes without scoring nipped the German team's faint medal dreams in the bud. The completely one-sided game in front of around 6000 spectators at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark, was already decided at the break. The German team prevented an even bigger debacle with a much improved second half.
The best scorers for the German Handball Federation (DHB) were co-captain Alina Grijseels, Viola Leuchter and Amelie Berger with four goals each. However, in view of Germany's 26 (!) missed shots, this did not matter. Instead of competing for a place on the podium, Germany will only play for fifth to seventh place, having already reached the quarter-finals two years ago. In the first of two placement matches, the German team will face the Czech Republic on Friday (11.30 am/Sportdeutschland.TV).
The defeat against Sweden, the second in the seventh tournament match, also ended their hopes of reaching their first semi-final at a major tournament in 15 years. After three recent seventh-place finishes, they once again failed to make the big time. Nevertheless, the team had already secured their participation in an Olympic qualifying tournament in the spring of next year by reaching the knockout phase.
Sweden hit everything in phases, the DHB team nothing
"Everyone is fired up to get through to the knockout phase," said Emily Bölk before the game. They wanted to "go one better" and had "the quality to beat Sweden". However, Bölk and Co. were miles away from that. The German team hardly developed any goalscoring threat in attack, produced a steady stream of missed shots and technical errors and looked downright timid against the aggressive Swedish cover. At the back, the German defence had no grip at all and goalkeeper Katharina Filter hardly kept a ball.
After just nine minutes, Gaugisch was forced to press the time-out buzzer for the first time. "Keep going. Remember the basics," shouted the national coach to his completely unsettled team at 0:4 - but after that the German game only became more hectic. Even when Bölk finally scored the first German goal after exactly 14 minutes and 7 seconds, the German team did not get a jolt. Co-favorites Sweden, whom Germany had beaten in the World Cup preparations, played excellently defensively.
Gaugisch tried everything possible, swapped his personnel around - but it didn't get any better. While Sweden scored with almost every shot, left winger Antje Döll missed the goal unchallenged at 3:10 (20th minute), adding her name to the list of German misses. The ten-goal deficit at the break was well deserved.
Germany acted much more courageously after the break and reduced the deficit. However, the Swedes, who had their wits about them, did not let this throw them off their stride. Gaugisch repeatedly pulled his hair out on the touchline in view of the many German misses.
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Despite their preparatory victory against Sweden, Germany's national handball team struggled severely in the World Cup quarter-final, with the DHB squad failing to match Sweden's intensity. The German Handball Federation (DHB) faced a disappointing 20-27 loss, dashing their hopes of reaching the semi-finals since 2007.
Regrettably, the German team's DHB players encountered numerous missed shots and technical errors in the handball world cup quarter-final against Sweden, leading to their elimination. The team showcased a lackluster performance that ultimately resulted in their defeat.
Source: www.ntv.de
