The German women’s handball team reached the round of sixteen at the home World Championships. The leap to the top of Group D was missed out on 22:22 (9:11) against Serbia.
Leipzig. No boisterous dances of joy, no exuberant cheering: Despite the early eighth-final draw at the home World Championships, the frustration initially dominated the German handball team. The team of national coach Michael Biegler was equalized at 22:22 (9:11) against Serbia four seconds before the end – the achievement of the first stage goal faded into the background during the World Cup debut of exceptional talent Emily Bölk.
“In the end, we have to do better than that. That’s why I’m a bit disappointed, but our goals remain,”said captain Anna Loerper after a real handball thriller in the Arena Leipzig. Svenja Huber, with six goals the best thrower of the German Handball Federation’s (DHB) selection, spoke of “a lost point”.
The ladies missed the leap to the top of the standings in Group D by scoring 5-1 points behind Serbia’s equal points, but they proved their morale and, in their third appearance, raised hopes of a successful tournament at least in phases.”The cover is there, even though we had a weaker phase. Of course the team is disappointed, but we did well overall,”Biegler said.
In the final two preliminary round matches against China on Wednesday and vice World Champion Netherlands on Friday (both 18.00 hrs/Sport1) the group win is at stake, despite the first shock absorber. DHB Vice President Bob Hanning believes the team is ready for this:”They have passed their final exams despite the unfortunate equalisation.
Serbia was a different caliber, Biegler had warned South Korea (23:18) and Asia champions South Korea (23:18) after the opening wins against Cameroon (28:15). His players listened to their coach and began to concentrate on their task. Aggressive in defence, variable in attack – the reward was a 6:2 lead in front of 3871 spectators (11th).
As a result, however, numerous uncertainties crept into the German game. The cover got less and less access to the physically superior Serbian women, in front some chances were easily forgiven. After equalizing to 8-8 (20th) Biegler took the first break and had a calming effect on his players. The German attacking game, however, remained flawed until the break, and the substitution of back-room player Bölk in the 26th minute also changed. I won’t be a minute. The “Wunderkind” was available for the first time after having survived a foot injury.
After the change, the hosts showed their fighting spirit, Jenny Karolius equalled at 11:11 (36th). But the German offensive actions were still too hasty. Serbia was also more robust. At 13:16 (40th) Biegler took the next break and demanded “clear passes” and “safe balls”.
Goalkeeper Katja Kramarczyk became more and more of a supporter, while right-winger Huber equalled the score at 18:18 (48th) by a seven-metre margin. With time penalties, however, the DHB selection made life difficult for itself, even Biegler was temporarily out of control after an alleged wrong decision and received a penalty:”The team has perfectly ironed out my punishment, for which I would like to thank the team,”said Biegler.
But in the final phase, the German team fought back nervously. Circle runner Karolius took care in the 59th minute. But in the end it wasn’t enough to win.