World Cup dream bursts against France: German handball players collapse fatally in the quarterfinals

World Cup dream bursts against France
German handball players collapse fatally in the quarterfinals

The German national team’s dream of a World Cup medal lives on for half a period – but after the break the team breaks apart against the ripped-off French and the outstanding goalkeeper Remi Desbonnet and concedes a clear defeat.

Alfred Gislason folded his arms, then dropped into his chair and sat in silence for several minutes. The national handball coach had to let the 28:35 (16:16) against France in the quarterfinals of the World Cup sink in. For a long time, the Icelander and his players could dream of a coup against the Olympic champion – the dream of the first World Cup medal since the home triumph in 2007 was all the louder after a slump in the last 15 minutes. “We made too many mistakes in the second half. We have to digest this game first,” Gislason quarreled on ZDF, but added: “I’m very proud of the boys, they gave everything.”

For a long time, Germany kept the game against the record world champion open, leading 20:18 shortly after the break. But at the end of the day, even Andreas Wolff, who held the ball well, couldn’t prevent the defeat because there was almost nothing going on offensively. The fact remains: Germany simply cannot win against world-class teams in major tournaments. “The result is a little too high, it was a big fight from us. But we don’t use the chances the way you have to do to reach a semi-final,” said captain Johannes Golla, the best German scorer with six goals: ” We made it up for 40 minutes, then we give in. There’s still a long way to go to the absolute top of the world.”

“The French have no weaknesses”

The tournament is not yet over for the German team after the quarter-finals. The plane leaves for Stockholm on Thursday morning. Instead of playing for the world title again after 16 years in the Swedish capital at the weekend, places five to eight are now at stake in two sportingly insignificant games. The opponent on Friday (3.30 p.m. / ARD) in the Tele2 football arena is Egypt. The African champion lost 22:26 against the favorite Sweden. “We want to say goodbye. Fifth place is still a great goal,” said Golla.

The game started 22 minutes late due to double overtime in the previous game between Norway and Spain (34:35). This, oracles DHB sports director Axel Kromer, is “perhaps an advantage for us. The French know the process before such a quarter-final a little better. Now it’s new for everyone.”

Germany’s attack comes to a halt

In fact, the Gislason seven were wide awake from the start after the involuntary delay. Because Golla and Co. sunk almost every one of their shots up front and keeper Wolff started brilliantly at the back, Germany quickly led 5:3 (5th) and 8:5 (10th). And when Christoph Steinert increased to 11:7 after a quarter of an hour, France’s coach Guillaume Gille rounded up his stars around Nikola Karabatic and Dika Mem for a first time-out. It was amazing again how the just 22-year-old Juri Knorr acted. The youngest in the German team also directed the attacks of the DHB selection against this world-class opponent. In addition, he converted almost every one of his throws.

The German attacking game came to a standstill after the time-out, however, and the French now noticeably picked up the pace. And so it took less than four minutes for Nedim Remili to equalize. In this phase with five minutes without a goal of his own, it was always Wolff who saved the DHB team from falling behind several times with his saves and thus kept them in the game. “It’s an absolutely racy game with a huge tempo and a huge heart from both sides,” said Kromer at the break. And team manager Oliver Roggisch said: “With such an Andi Wolff in the team, we should actually lead.”

However, the second round started with the first French lead. The DHB selection responded with three goals in a row, but failed to increase the lead to 20:17 when Patrick Groetzki counterattacked. For the French, Remi Desbonnet, the regular substitute keeper behind future Kiel player Vincent Gerard, was becoming more and more of a factor. Eight minutes without a hit robbed the DHB team of their chance to win.

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