Successful World Cup test: DHB women beat Sweden
Just under a week before the start of the World Championships, Germany's women's handball team made people sit up and take notice with their first international victory over Olympic fourth-placed Sweden in seven years.
In a 33:30 (17:13) win in Ystad, the team led by national coach Markus Gaugisch showed strong form and boosted their confidence for the finals in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
In front of 2207 spectators, co-captains Alina Grijseels and Emily Bölk were the best scorers for the DHB team with six goals each. The two teams will meet again in Lund on Sunday before the DHB women kick off their World Cup campaign against Japan next Thursday. Further preliminary round opponents are Iran and Poland. The minimum target is the quarter-finals.
The German team was wide awake right from the start. The defense stood firm and allowed little to happen. Behind them, goalkeeper Katharina Filter provided strong support. The 24-year-old saved seven shots in the first half and was therefore an important factor. The DHB team also impressed in attack for long periods. After 23 minutes, the lead was six goals for the first time at 14:8.
After the changeover, last year's European Championship seventh-placed team initially maintained its high level and dominated the game until midway through the second half. At 28:21, the game seemed to be decided, but then there was a break in the German play. Six minutes before the end, the comfortable cushion had melted to one goal. However, the DHB team did not lose its nerve and ran out deserved winners in the end.
The victory over Sweden boosted the confidence of Germany's women's handball national team, led by coach Markus Gaugisch, ahead of the World Cup. In the upcoming match against Sweden in Lund, the Women's Handball National Team, including co-captains Alina Grijseels and Emily Bölk, aim to build on their strong form.
Source: www.dpa.com
