Filter kisses DHB women awake with crazy saves
The German handball players continue their impressive run of success at the World Championships and take a big step towards the quarter-finals. Despite some hair-raising mistakes at times, the DHB team narrowly won its first main round match against Romania.
Katharina Filter was beaming. Every single German handball player hugged their outstanding goalkeeper before Filter accepted the player of the match award with a grin. After passing the World Cup stress test against Romania, the DHB women knew who they had to thank. "I'm just very happy, it was tough right from the start. Nothing was given to us. We believed in ourselves, kept fighting and turned the game around," said Filter after the 24:22 (9:12) win to start the main round. In their fourth win in four games, Germany showed real comeback qualities and pushed the door to the quarter-finals wide open.
Annika Lott and Antje Döll (4 goals each) were the best scorers for the German Handball Federation (DHB) in front of 2500 spectators at the Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark, who continue to have an unblemished record of 6:0 points. But the player of the evening was Filter, who woke Germany up after a botched first half with some crazy saves and a 42% save rate.
"Too much respect for the passes to the circle"
"The first half was difficult, we had too much respect for the passes to the circle," said Gaugisch. In fact, the German team, which was very weak in attack, was initially in a deep sleep against the Romanians led by star player Christina Neagu. It was only after the break that Germany turned on the heat and, thanks to filters and an improved finishing rate in offense, turned a four-goal deficit into victory. The highs continue.
Another win on Saturday (6 p.m.) against Serbia (0:6 points) could see the team secure an early ticket to the quarter-finals. Their final opponents in the main round Group III on Monday (8.30 p.m./Both Sportdeutschland.TV) will be the tournament favorites Denmark, who also have no losses. The top two teams from the four main round groups will advance to the final round.
The start goes completely wrong
Three days after the 33:17 gala at the end of the preliminary round against Poland, Germany failed to get into the game at all. Emily Bölk and Co. made numerous technical mistakes in offense, which Romania punished mercilessly. Germany had to nibble at the first three-goal deficit at 3:6 (11') in the first half, as a hitherto unfamiliar nervousness spread in their own attack. Co-captain Alina Grijseels missed the clearest of chances with two seven-meter penalties, as did backcourt player Xenia Smits on the counter-attack.
Romania's goalkeeper Daciana Hosu had a great day in the opening phase. In the German goal, Filter saved the DHB women from falling even further behind. "We need movement up front," demanded Gaugisch during his first time-out. But there was no improvement at first. The four-time world handball player Neagu, who had missed the entire preliminary round due to injury, quickly got up to speed. Germany could hardly find any means to counter the European Championship's 11th-placed team's circular game. In addition, the attack made one mistake after another. Romania pulled four goals ahead for the first time at 7:11 (28').
It was only after the break that Germany fought their way back into the game. Shooting star Viola Leuchter turned out to be a real weapon at the back with her 1.85 m and Filter became stronger by the minute. At one point, Filter scratched the 50 percent mark. At 15:15 (42'), Germany equalized for the first time since the opening spell. Shortly afterwards, Annika Lott (43) gave them the lead. The German team was now noticeably more confident - and Filter was still on top form.
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In the ongoing World Championships, the DHB women's handball team continued their impressive run and secured a victory in their first main round match against Romania, with Katharina Filter being hailed as the player of the match due to her impressive saves. This victory brought Germany to a 4-0 record in the competition, with only one more match against Serbia left to ensure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Despite a challenging first half against Romania, the German team managed to turn the game around thanks to Filter's inspirational saves and improved finishing in attack, silencing the critics who thought they had too much respect for the opposition's passes to the circle.
Source: www.ntv.de
