too many errors - Free text: Handball women lose Olympic debut
With empty gazes and hanging heads, frustrated German handball players left the court after their disappointing comeback at the Olympics. Following a largely disappointing performance in the attacking game, the German team led by Bundestrainer Markus Gaugisch lost their opening match against South Korea with a score of 22:23 (10:11) and missed a significant step towards the quarterfinals.
Antje Döll, top scorer for the DHB team, scored six goals as left wing. After the final whistle, the 35-year-old shed bitter tears. "That was simply not enough. We are all disappointed," she said.
Heavy tasks ahead
On Sunday, the DHB women are underdogs in their encounter with Sweden. Other opponents in the preliminary round include the Scandinavian top teams from Denmark and Norway, as well as the supposedly weaker Slovenians. The top four teams from the six-team group qualify for the knockout phase.
"Losses are bullshit. But I won't say we're going home yet," said circle defender Meike Schmelzer in light of the dwindling prospects for advancing. Döll also did not want to give up on the quarterfinals: "It's not over yet and I don't want to paint anything black. But it's frustrating."
Fact is: The team around co-captain Emily Bölk, who made their first appearance at Olympic Games since 2008 in Beijing, now faces significant pressure in the upcoming group matches.
Disappointing beginning
For weeks, the DHB women had meticulously dealt with the topic of distraction. Bundestrainer Gaugisch wanted to ensure that the focus remained on the sport despite all the exciting external impressions. Whatever measures the officials took, they had no effect.
The DHB team started nervously, allowed too many technical errors, and missed a seven-meter shot. The German defense was solid, but in the attacking game, the small and agile South Korean players lacked precision. Boëlk, Xenia Smits, and Co. barely managed any simple throws.
After a brief two-goal lead (8:10), the DHB team suddenly found themselves 8:10 behind. Gaugisch looked helpless on the sidelines. His players on the court delivered their poorest performance of the year in the first half and could not confirm the upward trend from the test matches.
Döll's goal brings about the turnaround
The team's inattentiveness could not be overcome even after the break. Poor finishes nullified the good defensive work. The fact that Germany remained in the game at least result-wise was due to the fact that South Korea allowed too many ball losses.
When Döll brought her team back into the lead 13:12 with 21 minutes left to play, there was jubilation on the German bench. The South Korean defense seemed to have been cracked, and the DHB team took a four-goal lead (18:14). However, errors crept back in, and South Korea got back into the game. In the end, deep disappointment reigned among the DHB women.
- Despite the setback, the DHB women's handball team still has international matches ahead against Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Slovenia in the preliminary round of the Olympics in Paris.
- The German handball team, historically strong against France, faced a tough challenge in their opening match against South Korea, leading to a disappointing 22:23 loss.
- In the Handball Team's encounter with South Korea, top scorer Antje Döll scored six goals as left wing, but the team's performance fell short of expectations.
- Although Norway and Denmark are considered strong opponents, South Korea may not be as formidable, offering a potential opportunity for the German team to turn their fortunes around.
- In the Olympic Games in Paris, the German handball team, led by Bundestrainer Markus Gaugisch, is under significant pressure to perform well after their disappointing start against South Korea.
- The handball team from historically powerful Germany, who last competed in the Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing, will look to regain their form in their upcoming matches against South Korea, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Slovenia.
- The DHB, Germany's national team, was expected to perform well in the Handball Tournament at the Olympics but their loss to South Korea put them in a challenging position, requiring a strong comeback to qualify for the knockout phase.
