No semi-final once more, however a step ahead. After the painful quarter-finals, the remaining two video games of the World Cup will probably be a test of character, and in addition for the European Championship at house.
After a quick night time, Germany’s handball gamers bought out of mattress at daybreak. Enthusiasm for the ultimate leg of their World Cup journey was capped after their quarter-final knockout in opposition to Olympic champions France, however the placement spherical in Stockholm was a actual test for the DHB team.
“Fifth place within the World Cup appears to be a success for any of us. So we need to end the event properly,” mentioned captain Johannes Golla after the 28:35 recreation in opposition to world champions France. Germany’s dream of profitable its first World Cup medal because the 2007 golden winter wonderland now “needs a wise farewell”, insisted nationwide coach Alfred Ghislason.
Germany within the Swedish capital can also be fearful in regards to the influence of the event. With a 12 months to go earlier than the European Championship on house soil, there may be some encouragement: Andreas Wolff has rediscovered his former energy on the World Cup. Juri Knorr, he’s on his approach to world class. And Julian Koster, a minimum of in protection, confirmed a excessive worldwide format.
Andreas Wolf believes that the aim is “prolonged world class”.
“If you end fifth, you present that you just belong to the prolonged world class,” mentioned goalkeeper Wolff. “That needs to be our aim within the final two video games.” First opponent on Friday (15:30)ARD) African champion Egypt. When the medals are handed out on the Tele2 Football Arena on Sunday, the DHB’s solely alternative is the spectators – as soon as once more.
Gislason’s temper fluctuated between disappointment and pleasure, the latter predominating. “I’ve a lot of confidence,” Gislason mentioned. The DHB team is “nonetheless an inexperienced team in phrases of breadth and core positions”. That’s why “it is essential to get experiences like this. I’m positive all of the gamers will study from their errors. We can take a lot of optimistic issues with us.”
After a traditionally poor World Cup (twelfth place) two years in the past, the German Handball Federation’s choice took a step ahead with performances in Katowice and Gdansk. However, the defeat in opposition to the French was actually miserable, particularly with its readability. “We broke up on the finish, that is it,” mentioned left winger Lucas Mertens.
DHB house EM needs to take the following step
The high of the affiliation gave the German team a passable certificates. “Handball and sports activities followers in Germany have seen that one thing is rising right here,” mentioned DHB sports activities director Axel Kromer. The team “shouldn’t be on the restrict, however we’ve constructed a lot of foundations and performed very properly. We have the European Championship at house subsequent 12 months, so we need to take the following step.”
The European Championship in January 2024 is the primary main occasion within the “decade of handball” introduced by the affiliation, with a medal because the aim. However, as proven by performances in Poland and Sweden, Yuri Knorr and Okay. should catch up in phrases of consistency. “We lack width, particularly in defence,” admitted Gislason.
In the preliminary and principal rounds, the energy and high quality of the team was nonetheless sufficient for spectacular victories in opposition to weaker groups. During the primary test of endurance in opposition to Norway within the ultimate of the primary spherical (26:28), it grew to become clear that the extent of the very best groups is (nonetheless) totally different. This 12 months too, Germany didn’t win one of the greats in an vital event.
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