German handball gamers anticipated a shock against Olympic champions France. But nothing got here of it. Despite a very good efficiency within the first spherical, the Germans certified for the semi-finals of the World Cup. In the top, there was a defeat on the Gdansk Arena with a rating of 28:35 (16:16).
Crucially, poor attacking play and poor attacking play within the second half proved decisive within the defeat, ending their long-awaited dream of a World Cup trophy. Germany is now solely preventing for the fifth to eighth locations.
“We threw too badly”
“If you need to get to the semi-finals, we did not take any probabilities such as you did.” mentioned captain Johannes Golla, one of the best German pitcher against the French with six targets. His group took the subsequent step ahead at this World Cup, “however we nonetheless have an extended option to go to absolutely the high of the world,” Golla mentioned.
National coach Alfred Gislason was additionally dissatisfied: “We threw too badly. We did not have the facility to throw from the again just like the French,” mentioned the Icelander, who was glad with the general improvement of his group. Now he and his group will attain the fifth place.
Goalkeeper Wolff with class parades
German handball gamers targeted on the semi-final undertaking against the favorites in entrance of 5,500 spectators. Coach Alfred Gislason’s group performed nicely from the beginning. From a constant aim and with goalkeeper Andreas Wolff in glorious type once more, he repeatedly destroyed the French’s probabilities to shoot, Germany had been the higher group within the early levels.
In the fifteenth minute, Knorr, Golla and Co. took the lead 11:7. But it was quickly misplaced due to a couple errors within the assault, and the French tied the rating 11:11. The French “previous” Nikola Karabatic continued to throw seven meters, and Nedim Remilly additionally induced issues for the great German protection from the again.
“High pace racing recreation”
The tempo of the sport remained excessive. Both groups gave nothing away. Germany’s run against the four-time world champions may have been higher than 16-16 at half-time if probabilities had been taken extra persistently. The Germans weren’t solely glad with this.
“It’s a recreation with quite a lot of pace and quite a lot of coronary heart from each side.”DHB board member Axel Cromer mentioned through the break. “After 4 targets, we misplaced the ball an excessive amount of and took too many dangers, which is what we want against such an opponent.”
Hopeless for Desbonnet
Could the Germans maintain off against the title favourites? It seemed nice at first. Gislason’s group got here out of the dressing room bravely and pulled away till 20:18 after targets from Kai Hafner, Johannes Golla and Juri Knorr. But, as within the first half, there have been few errors within the German recreation. In addition, French backup goalkeeper Remy Desbonnen, who changed Vincent Gerard within the first half, discovered his means into the sport and made the German hurlers despair.
France turned 18:20 into 23:20 (forty fourth). The Germans had been now unable to make up for this deficit, particularly as they didn’t right just a few errors in assault and Desbonne continued to win within the French aim. In the top, the HB Montpellier man even had a greater save than the equally excellent Andreas Wolff, who paid tribute: “He performed a implausible recreation,” Wolff mentioned.
In the assault, Germany misplaced its rhythm and couldn’t maintain on any longer. At 30:25 a preliminary choice was made within the 53rd minute. The French didn’t enable this benefit to be taken away and ultimately anticipated a simple and clear 35:28 victory.
Now against Egypt for deployment
France will now face Sweden within the semi-finals in Stockholm, whereas Germany will play for locations 5 by means of eight within the placement spherical. The subsequent opponent – additionally in Stockholm – is the African champion Egypt on Friday (January 27, 2023, first and stay on Sportschau.de). If Germany wins, there shall be a match for fifth place on Sunday.
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