Next defeat - Lawsuit against Sweden: Women's handball team threatens Olympic exclusion
German women's handball team suffered their second loss at the Olympic Games and received the next setback in their quest for a spot in the quarterfinals. In contrast to the DHB-Men, who had secured their place against the Scandinavians on Saturday, Bundestrainer Markus Gaugisch's selection lost to the Three-Crowned Team with a score of 28:31 (12:19).
At the WM in December, the German handballers had to concede defeat to the Swedes clearly. In front of approximately 5,700 spectators in Paris, Julia Maidhof, Alina Grijseels, and Jenny Behrend scored five goals each for the German team, which finished last in Group A with 0:4 points.
The DHB-Team must win in their next game against Slovenia on Tuesday. A loss would make an early exit from the preliminary round a distinct possibility. Further opponents include the Scandinavian top teams Denmark and Norway. The four best teams from each six-team group advance to the quarterfinals. The German handballers have not been at the Olympics since 2008.
Lack of scoring opportunities
Gaugisch had promised a clear error analysis after the bitter defeat against South Korea. The speech had only limited impact. The weaknesses in the attack were no longer as apparent, but the lack of scoring opportunities remained a constant feature of the German game. After weak German finishes and strong saves from Swedish goalkeeper Johanna Bundsen, the WM sixth-place team had to trail the Scandinavians 13:7.
However, the defense also showed significant weaknesses, and the Swedes scored from every position at will. Gaugisch was frustrated at the sidelines. The loud cries of the 50-year-old could be heard throughout the hall. The statistics at the end of the first half illustrated the biggest difference: While the DHB-Women failed to convert even one in every two opportunities, the Swedes had an efficiency rate of almost 90%.
DHB-Team with new tactics
After the break, the game became evenly matched. Germany's scoring opportunities remained limited, but the Swedes' concentration during counterattacks waned. To have more options in attack, Gaugisch introduced a seven-against-six – an additional field player came onto the court for the goalkeeper.
The DHB-Women took advantage of the Swedes' weakness phase initially and came within four goals. However, too many errors crept back into the German game. In the end, the debt from the first half was too great.
- Despite the men's DHB handball team securely earning their quarterfinal entry at the Olympic Games, the German women's team faced a second loss and a challenge in securing a spot.
- In Paris, France, during the Olympic Games, the German women's handball team encountered a tough match against the Swedish national team.
- Regrettably, Germany's women's handball team finished last in Group A at the World Championship in December, with Sweden emerging as the dominant team.
- In the upcoming game against Slovenia, the DHB-Team must secure a win to reduce the risk of an early exit from the preliminary round.
- At the 2008 Olympic Games, the German handballers last participated, and now they aim for another chance in the International stage.
- The DHB-Women's offense showed weaknesses during their match against Slovenia, resulting in a lack of scoring opportunities and challenges in penalty conversion.
- To improve their offense and create more scoring opportunities, the DHB-Team decided to introduce seven-against-six tactics, adding an additional field player in the place of the goalkeeper.
