Status: 29.01.2023 15:01
With a very sturdy defensive efficiency, Germany’s handball gamers secured fifth place in the World Cup towards Norway on Sunday (29/01/2023). The DHB crew received with the rating 28:24 (16:13) and thus avenged the loss to the Norwegians in the primary spherical.
National coach Alfred Gislason dropped Philipp Weber and defensive specialist Simon Ernst, changing him with Djibril M’bengue, whereas additionally handing second-choice Tim Zechel his first World Cup recreation. From the beginning, Gislason relied on Lucas Mertens, Julian Koster, Juri Knorr, Christoph Steinert, Lucas Zerbe, Johannes Golla and Andreas Wolff to attain.
Andreas Wolff, the seven-meter killer
After Knorr’s cross, Golla made it 1-0 in the primary assault. It was a balanced opening interval the place the DHB crew needed to cope with the tempo of the Norwegians, who hit the accelerator right away even after conceding a aim in the primary place. Against the Scandinavian assault, issues have been higher for the German protection, and the wide-awake Wolff in aim contributed to this. 1 / 4 of an hour later, he returned a seven-meter throw, and Germany took an 8-5 lead.
After that, each coaches began to vary a bit. This led to plenty of errors in the German assault early on, however Wolff saved two extra sevens and a DHB choice properly in the sport. Luka Witzke, who changed Knorr in this era, had a strong efficiency with a convincing aim up entrance. 16:13 at halftime was properly deserved.
Great defensive work by the Germans after the break
Germany got here out of the break with plenty of momentum and have been selfless, particularly in defence, so the Norwegians have been in very tight areas, and Wolff made just a few “simple” saves. At 7:14 p.m., DHB pulled away till 9:15 p.m., when Norway coach Jonas Wille was compelled to take a break after a great 40 minutes.
The German crew appeared set to lose the ultimate once more, as they did in their final three matches towards Norway, France and Egypt. Obvious chances are high missed, Patrik Grotzky, for instance, is totally free twice and 23:20 Norway are instantly in shut contact once more.
Strong Kai Hafner makes all of it clear
As a end result, Gislason took a timeout, however his crew appeared to expire and Wolff was capable of thank: Magnus Rohde had an opportunity to scale back the deficit once more at 26:23 4 minutes earlier than the ultimate whistle, however discovered his grasp in the German goalkeeper. With two minutes left in the sport, DHB was nonetheless main 26-24 when it fizzled once more. Kai Hafner, who was actually sturdy in the second half, lastly despatched the ball into the aim with the chance of losing time – 27:24. Most fascinating: Hafner was injured minutes earlier, however Gislason stated he needed to play once more in the ultimate interval. The veteran might have even damaged his backbone, the nationwide coach defined on the ZDF web site. Either manner, Hafner’s aim was the deciding issue.
Source: sportschau.de