- Handball players dream of winning a medal
German Coach Alfred Gislason, usually calm, erupted on the sidelines after the thrilling Olympic quarterfinal victory, his players forming a joyous celebration around match winner Renars Uscins. Germany's handball team, after an incredible comeback, defeated European and Olympic champions France 35:34 (29:29, 14:17) in extra time, dreaming of their first medal at a major tournament since the bronze in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago.
"This was an incredible game at this level. The team was phenomenal and remained calm throughout. I'm proud of how they handled this challenge," said Gislason, visibly affected by the dramatic 70 minutes. "Considering how inexperienced our team is, it's astonishing to achieve such a performance under these circumstances."
U21 World Champion Uscins and David Späth led the DHB team to victory
In an epic match in front of a passionate crowd of around 27,000 fans in Lille, where the DHB team was six goals behind at the start of the second half, U21 World Champions Uscins and David Späth became sporting heroes. "Renars was outstanding in attack and David was great behind a strong defense," praised Gislason the two youngsters.
Right-back Uscins saved the bravely fighting German team with his equalizer in the last second, sending the game into extra time and becoming the standout player with 14 goals. "I'm very happy about the victory we deserved," said Uscins.
Six seconds before the end of regular time, the DHB team seemed destined to lose. With a one-goal deficit, France had possession, but Julian Köster intercepted a pass from Dika Mem and set up Uscins, who coolly scored. "Köster has an incredible feel for what the opponent is doing. That was a huge shock for the French," described Gislason the scene that turned the tide.
Spain awaits
In extra time, Uscins continued to score at will, while Späth kept the defense tight, ensuring another victory for the DHB team. In the semifinal on Friday, Germany will face Spain again. "If we celebrate now, we won't leave the semifinal as winners," Gislason cautioned just minutes after the final whistle.
In the preliminary round, the DHB team had won 33:31 against the South Europeans, securing their spot in the knockout phase. "I just feel happiness and joy," said Späth, who saved the last throw of the French in extra time and then ran wildly across the court.
Germany had lost their previous matches against France at the home EM in January and the WM last year. With their first competitive win against the Olympic hosts since 2013, the German team also avenged the DHB women's team, who had fallen to the Équipe Tricolore in the quarterfinals the day before. "I have no idea why we managed this today, why we had the luck. It was just there," said playmaker Juri Knorr.
Karabatic goes with applause
France's elimination also marked the end of three-time world handball player Nikola Karabatic's career. After the final whistle, he was feted and applauded by both teams. The 40-year-old star player, who won three Olympic golds and four World Championships in his trophy-laden career, retires without the desired medal.
A German victory seemed assured even before the match began. Confidence was sky-high, not seen in a long time. This was partly due to the Gislason team's win against France in a test match just last July. But this time, the DHB team was facing an entire nation. The atmosphere at the OSC Lille football stadium was even more charged than during the women's teams' duel. The fans accompanied many German plays with whistling.
Comeback rewarded
The German defense lacked presence in the early stages. Simultaneously, goalkeeper Andreas Wolff disappointed, allowing the hosts to score easily from the circle. While Knorr, Uscin, and Sebastian Heymann, who scored six goals like captain Johannes Golla, showed ambition in offense, overall efficiency was lacking.
Moreover, France's goalkeeper Vincent Gerard saved more than ten shots in the first half alone. It was only when Späth replaced Wolff in the German goal that there was more support. Nevertheless, the German team found themselves trailing 14:20 just after the restart, with IOC President Thomas Bach watching. What followed could well be recorded in the annals of sports history.
In the semifinal on Friday, Germany's handball team, led by U21 World Champions Uscins and David Späth, will face Spain again. Gislason praised Uscins, who saved the game with an equalizer and scored 14 goals, saying, "David was great behind a strong defense, and Renars was outstanding in attack."
