The World Cup endurance test in check: DHB team “nerves” about a big win

The German national handball team loses its first game at the World Cup. Because the opposing goalkeeper had a great day and the DHB team only had a pretty good one. Now you are faced with what is probably the greatest possible task. In the quarter-finals, it is against the Olympic champion and record world champion France.

What actually happened in the Spodek?

They wanted the endurance test and they got it: The German national handball team was able to warm up in the main round final at the highest level for the quarter-finals. Alfred Gislason’s team put on a good game against Norway, who were still outsiders for a medal. In the end it was 26:28 because too much went wrong in the last few minutes. Too often they failed even from the best positions, with outstanding Norwegian goalkeeper Torbjörn Bergerud offering a phenomenal save percentage of 55 per cent. A lack of efficiency at this level can hardly be compensated for. “Ultimately, Bergerud’s rate says it all,” said backcourt player Christoph Steinert after the close struggle for 60 minutes. “You don’t win a game at that level with 55 percent saved balls.”

But what the German team was able to learn about itself is gratifying: With Juri Knorr, as this first major stress test lasting around 50 minutes proved, for the first time in many, many years they have a playmaker who can also play against the top nations can make difference. Lots of goals, lots of spectacular passes and a constant stress factor for the opposing defence.

And then there was a defense that, after a weak start, improved as the game progressed and, together with goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, who was strong again, made the game difficult for the Norwegian shooters. National coach Alfred Gislason saw “a very good game” from his team. If only there hadn’t been so many free balls… Today the German team only paid for the lack of effectiveness with a defeat. In the quarterfinals it would be much more expensive.

player of the game

It can certainly be sold as a positive prospect if the experts still have something to criticize about the best player in the German team this Monday evening. Juri Knorr scored 8 of his 13 shots and was once again the best German thrower, he steered and ordered the offensive game again this time – and yet there are small things that the youngest of the squad can still improve. According to ARD expert Dominik Klein, not letting yourself be thrown off course is part of it. After Knorr was called an offensive foul in the final stages of the game, where Gislason saw a two-minute penalty for the Norwegians, he clashed with Norway’s superstar Sander Sagosen. “You can see that at 22 you get a little out of step. In the next scene he starts fighting with Sander Sagosen. That might not happen to him next time,” says Klein.

It can always be better – good news for the quarter-finals. Then the playmaker can satisfy his coach again, who attested to a “very good game”. There was a lively exchange between the two, the 22-year-old was attentive on and off the pitch. “He had a lot of breaks in defense in the second half, so we had more time to discuss the next attacks,” explained Gislason. Whether it was his order and his play structure or his untenable shots – the quality of Knorr is unquestionable. The fact that he was very self-critical after the game and predicted a “different face” for his team on Wednesday also speaks for the youngster.

scene of the game

It would have been the 52nd minute when the Spodek boiled – because Djibril M’Bengue first equalized and seconds later with a wonderful pass ensured that Jannik Kohlbacher put the German team in the lead for the first time that evening. It was quite surprising that it was M’Bengue who marked the turning point – and a good signal: The backcourt player from Bergisches HC hardly played a role on the field in this tournament, now he got a big job in the crucial minutes: Shouldering the load in the right backcourt because Kai Häfner didn’t find his way into the game at all.

“The momentum was on our side”, backcourt player Christoph Steinert described the short phase of the German lead. “Then we lose two balls up front and the momentum goes back to the Norwegians.” Also because M’Bengue subsequently joined the long list of German misses from free positions. The momentum didn’t come back to the German team after the 52nd minute.

How was the hall?

This World Cup has a big problem: not enough spectators. For the main round final, which was after all about winning the group, the spodek was perhaps a good third full. Less than 2000 spectators came from Germany. But it is also thankless what this tournament has in store for the fans: the German team will travel across the country to Gdansk for the quarter-finals, which is at least certain. How to proceed then? Nobody really knows before the game. After winning the quarter-finals, the group winners Norway will also play the semi-finals in Gdansk and then in any case travel on to Stockholm for the medal games.

Celebrity visit.

(Photo: picture alliance/dpa)

It gets complicated for Germany: If you win the quarterfinals against France, the DHB team would meet Sweden in the semifinals – should the co-host also make it into the semifinals. In any case, the Swedes would play their semi-finals at home in Stockholm, so it would be another long journey. What happens if Sweden doesn’t make it home? Nobody knows that exactly on Monday evening. After all, the German football hero Lukas Podolski was in the hall and pretty up the spectator balance a bit.

What does this mean for the DHB selection?

On Wednesday, the German national team will meet France in Gdansk (8.30 p.m. / ZDF and in the ntv.de live ticker). The record world champion, the Olympic champion. “In my opinion, that’s the toughest possible opponent,” said Gislason. “I would have preferred to win the game today and have Spain.” However, there is no fear: “Let’s put a few more things in up front and play a bit more aggressive defense,” said Christoph Steinert, “then it will work against France.”

The voices of the game

Alfred Gislason:

About the game: “Huge compliments to the team, it was a very good performance overall. But it’s really a shame how we deal with very clear chances, especially in the second half. With a better rate from the six-metre line we should have taken the game home.”

Conclusion on the group phase: “The team has a great character. We’re getting better and better across the board. Luca Witzke comes in and makes a good second half, Djibril M’Bengue also comes in well with an assist and goal. But in the end we throw it all away alone against the goalkeeper. Of course you have to recognize that he had a good quota, but it was the same with Andi on the other side.”

Yuri Knorr:

About the game: “It’s quite clear that we’re not playing our best game. We have to attribute that to ourselves and we’re that honest. But there was still a lot in it. That’s the sport. Of course we’re living with the defeat today a little bit better than in two days but I still think we’re all quite annoyed by the way the game went. Of course it’s annoying. I don’t quite agree with a few situations but it’s how it is, it works continue now.”

On the quarter-finals: “Even though we didn’t have quite the euphoria we had in the Holland game and didn’t play our best game, we’re still there and have a chance of winning the game. I’m sure we’ll do it Come on Wednesday with a different face and show who we are. That we have character, that we’re getting back up and nothing is over. In the end, today’s game doesn’t mean that much for Wednesday, we have to win.”

Rune Dahmke:

About the game: “We’re not playing a particularly good game overall, but we’re in the game all the time and we have a chance to win the game. We made too many mistakes in a row in the second half and there were some set-up problems against Bergerud ( Norway’s goalkeeper, editor’s note.) He then comes out of half-time with a catch rate of over 50 percent, so of course it will be difficult, Norway is too classy to let that slip away.”

View on France: “We’re disappointed today that we can’t win the game, but that has to be forgotten. We now have the biggest task we’ve had so far and we have a great opportunity to represent Germany wonderfully against France. We Everything has to be weighed up and I think on a good day we have a very good chance.”

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