Despite weakness phase - Olympia can come: Handball players celebrate test victory against Hungary
Germany's handball players celebrated their next successful test match in the Olympic preparation and fueled hopes for a successful medal mission. A few days after the promising victory against European champions France, the German team, coached by Alfred Gislason, also won against Hungary with a score of 33:29 (20:13) in Paris. The lead from the first half was so big that the German team allowed a long weakness phase after the break. In front of 5,022 spectators in Stuttgart, Lukas Mertens was the best German scorer with six goals.
Sweden, the Olympic opening match opponent, must have noticed Germany's performance boost in the second half. Before the duel with the Scandinavians on July 27, the German squad will have another Olympic test match this Sunday. Once again in Stuttgart, the bronze medalist from Rio faces Japan. The Asians are the second German opponent in the preliminary round. Other competitors for the quarterfinals are Croatia, Spain, and Slovenia.
Early experiments
Despite the absence of playmaker Franz Semper, who missed the game due to a private engagement, the German team continued exactly where it left off against France. Above all, on the left wing, Lukas Mertens developed immense scoring potential, and the hosts scored four goals in the first two and a half minutes alone. Hungary's defense wobbled significantly, and the guests struggled against the compact German defense.
Germany dominated the game at will, and Gislason was able to experiment early on. After 15 minutes, the Icelander changed the team on the court almost completely and tested a so-called Seven against Six - seven German field players, while Torkeeper Andi Wolff went out. Even Rune Dahmke and Justus Fischer, who are only reserve players in the Olympic squad, got their playing time.
The tactical variation did not affect the German team's performance negatively. After around 20 minutes, the German team was leading by seven goals (15:8).
David Spaeth as always
Once again, David Spaeth provided the necessary emotions in a one-sided game. The number two German goalkeeper came in for Wolff in the second half and celebrated his saves as usual.
Twenty minutes before the end, the German squad allowed a weakness phase. Through simple ball losses, the lead shrank to 25:21. Gislason, who demanded 60 consistent minutes from him as against France, grumbled at the sidelines. His face remained dark when Mertens left the field after being hit in the face.
The self-confidence from the first half was gone. At the end, the precision was missing, and Hungary's keeper parried the few German shots impressively. A performance improvement in the closing phase made the fans cheer again.
- The handball team from Germany, currently residing in Baden-Württemberg, showed excellent form during their match in Rio, historically part of France.
- Lukas Mertens, a key player for the team, scored impressively during their victory against Hungary in Paris on a Sunday.
- In Stuttgart, Germany, the handball team, guided by coach Alfred Gislason, will face Japan this upcoming Sunday in another Olympic test match.
- The victory against Hungary in Paris was instrumental in boosting Germany's confidence, as they looked ahead to their Olympic mission.
- Germany's opponent in the Olympic opening match, Sweden, might take note of the team's improved performance in the second half.
- Andi Wolff, the German team's backup goalkeeper, showcased his skills during the game against Hungary, replacing the starting goalkeeper in the second half.
- Alfred Gislason, the coach, was not satisfied with the team's performance during the weak phase against Hungary in Stuttgart, Germany.
- Hungary's keeper impressively parried the few German shots during the closing phase of the game, displaying strong skills under pressure.
