Did you quit? Did goalkeeper Andreas Wolff actually say that the German team “gave up” in direction of the finish of the sport in opposition to the French? No, nationwide coach Alfred Ghislason did not wish to depart it at that on broadcaster ZDF. He “did not assume in any respect that we gave up,” Gislason stated after the quarter-remaining in opposition to France, barely irritated by his goalkeeper’s tough determination: “On the opposite, we continued, however we threw badly.”
For virtually two weeks, the nationwide coach had loads of enjoyable along with his team at this World Cup, and this impression ought to final after the remaining, which was essential for Gislason. In reality, despite the fact that his team’s two-purpose defeat sounded higher than the seven-purpose defeat in Gdansk on Wednesday night time, they weren’t giving up. The end result was 28:35 (16:16) and the course of the sport was extra relentless than predicted for a very long time. Why: The German team outshot the French, led for 40 minutes and confirmed they might beat this world-class team – or push them to the brink of defeat.
But then Gislson’s team confirmed the place they have been missing in comparison with the French. A team like the French wouldn’t lose the lead in the first half (11:7) and after the break (19:17) twice as simply as the German team. No, a team like the French wouldn’t permit an eight-minute timeout with no purpose in the second half of an important World Cup quarter-remaining.
The DHB team cannot even fly dwelling and throw tantrums – it’s nonetheless about placements.
“Bad throw,” Gislason stated. Analysis may be actually easy. French goalkeeper Remy Desbonne merely intercepted a number of balls from the German backcourt. Hit with two palms. This is the highest penalty for a thrower in the backfield, and also you not often see it at this stage.
But the French will stay the French for now, and the Germans will stay the Germans who have not crushed a team in main tournaments for years, not even the 2023 World Cup. France will face hosts Sweden in Stockholm on Friday in the semi-finals. And for the Germans? If it will get too troublesome, fly dwelling and let your self not be disenchanted. The logic of the World Handball Championship dictates that each place should be performed in the remaining rating. Thus, two extra video games of sporting significance observe, the first on Friday afternoon in opposition to African champions Egypt and the second on Sunday. Places 5 via eight are in danger; Fifth place earns you at the least one of 4 Olympic qualifying tournaments. “Fifth place is a superb purpose,” stated captain Johannes Golla. Did he actually imply it then?
He “made certain that every one gamers study from their errors,” nationwide coach Alfred Gislason stated.
(Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa)
At a ways, the Germans create a blended, maybe barely constructive steadiness in the World Cup. You’ve clearly improved in phrases of outcomes. Twelfth place at the 2021 World Cup in Egypt, and at the least eighth place two years later. The younger team had enthusiastic video games; There are new handball gamers in the nation, similar to Juri Knorr, Julian Koster or Lucas Mertens, who may be counted on to play an excellent (in Knorr’s case, perhaps nice) function in German handball for the subsequent decade.
This is the place Gislason began. “Germany nonetheless have an inexperienced team in key positions,” stated the Icelander. All 4 international locations that reached the semi-finals are one step forward. He “made certain that every one the gamers study from their errors,” Gislason stated, including, “We can take loads of constructive issues with us.” Loads of issues make me really feel assured.”
There are two points that plague the subject of sport psychology
But secretly they thought they might be nearer to a team like France in the German Handball Federation (DHB), nearer to the semi-finals, which they need to attain a 12 months later at the 2024 European Championships. But earlier than that, the team must develop correctly. The subject of sports activities psychology has two problems that weigh closely on the thoughts – and because it seems, they’re doubly troublesome to beat.
It’s a recurring dilemma for the Germans at main tournaments: a team performs very effectively however takes timeouts like in the second half in opposition to France: eight to 10 minutes with no purpose and the sport is misplaced. Gislason has labored laborious to make sure that this theme doesn’t repeat itself at this World Cup. Here it’s in the quarter finals. “If we wish to play for titles, we’ve got to make the video games extra common than 60 minutes,” stated captain Golla.
In addition, there are groups which might be extra assured, extra self-assured with every purpose when they’re in the lead, and greet the opponent like ice. The Germans have been removed from it. Twice main by a number of targets, then twice taking part in poorly earlier than it was France’s flip. Similar developments have been noticed in the final fundamental spherical sport, once we misplaced to Norway. In such conditions, it’s a must to be “calm and extra assured,” goalkeeper Wolff stated. This defeat is a “lesson”. This time, the nationwide coach didn’t protest.
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