Monday, December 6th, 2021
Trembling victory against Hungary
Handball women on quarter-finals at World Cup
The German handball players remain unbeaten at the World Cup. It’s really close against Hungary and they even give away a lead in a very short time. But the DHB team keeps the pace high – with a happy ending. So the chances of making it to the quarter-finals are great.
Germany’s handball players put a brisk victory dance on the floor after a thriller with a happy ending. Thanks to the 25:24 (14: 9) in the dramatic group final against Hungary, the DHB selection at the world championship takes 4: 0 points into the main round after a flawless preliminary round and thus on course for the quarter-finals. “It was an emotional roller coaster,” said national coach Henk Groener. “We shouldn’t have made it so exciting, but we’re happy. The team fought until they dropped and deserved to win.”
In the main round, the German team will meet the Republic of the Congo on Wednesday. Other opponents in the second phase of the tournament are Denmark and South Korea. The best throwers in the duel with Hungary in front of 850 spectators in Llíria were Julia Maidhof and Meike Schmelzer, each with five goals. “I’m very happy and proud of the team. Everyone fought for everyone,” said Schmelzer.
The game started wildly. Both teams made a number of mistakes. The first goal of the game was only scored after three minutes – Maidhof scored for the DHB women, who had previously celebrated two clear victories against the Czech Republic (31:21) and Slovakia (36:22). The Hungarians even needed almost seven minutes for their first goal. The German team found their rhythm first and were ahead with three goals at 6: 3. But this did not initially bring security into the actions. Rather, Hungary got better after an early break. The German women got embarrassed more often and fell behind for the first time in the middle of the first half (7: 8/17.).
Hungary’s goalkeeper shines against German attack
The DHB team was just as unsettled by this as by the many missed opportunities. Again and again, the Groener protégés failed due to Hungary’s strong goalkeeper Blanka Biro – sometimes completely free-standing. Fortunately, the rival also made a number of mistakes. So it happened that with the score of 11: 9 for the DHB selection, no hit was scored on either side for five minutes. It was only in the final phase of the first half that the German players found their marksmanship again and took a five-goal lead with them into the break. But it quickly melted away after the change. Hungary only needed nine minutes to equalize at 16:16. The game was completely open again. Now it was an open exchange of blows, in which both teams continued to go at an extremely high pace. On the German side, Emily Bölk, who plays for the Hungarian champions Ferencvaros Budapest, took on more and more responsibility and created a goal hazard from the back area.
In the final phase, too, it remained dramatic because no team was able to break away decisively. Hungary shortened to 24:25 in the last minute, but with luck the DHB selection saved the narrow lead at the finish. “We performed very well in the first half, also in defense. We were too hectic in the second half,” said Groener.