Handball European Championship: Significantly improved DHB team is defeated by Denmark

Germany suffered its first defeat at the European Championship in Croatia. Despite an increase in performance compared to the previous performances, the team of national coach Christian Prokop was defeated by Olympic champion Denmark with 25:26 (9:8). With a win in the last main round game against Spain (Wed., 8.30 pm in the LIVETICKER) it is still possible to enter the semi-finals.

It was not a game for gourmets in the first round, but instead a passionate defensive battle from both sides. The brothers Rene Toft Hansen and Henrik Toft Hansen placed a merciless middle block on the Danish side. Finn Lemke followed in turn with Patrick Wiencek and Hendrik Pekeler. In addition, Niklas Landin and Andreas Wolff’s goalkeeper performances were a perfect match for both teams.

Denmark got off to a slightly better start, but it took nine minutes for the DHB side to make their first goal after Uwe Gensheimer, who soon had to make way for the re-nominated Rune Dahmke on the outside left-wing side of the field, to make a break. After 15 minutes, the fans had only seen six goals and a 3-3 on the scoreboard.

Now the momentum began to take hold in the German backline. Julius Kühn, who was recently so weak, played a major role in the first half with three goals. In the 25th. In the second minute, Steffen Weinhold provided a great single action for the 7:6 and thus for the first lead for the Prokop squad.

Three minutes later Kai Häfner increased to 9:7, with a 9:8 he finally entered the cabins. Bitter: Paul Drux had injured himself in the first half and was no longer able to get involved.

In the second half both teams started with much more offensive power. The DHB team finally managed to play the game from time to time. The excellent Weinhold and Kühn made further steam from the back room, while Melsunger was worried in the 38th minute. Minute 15:13. Seven minutes later, Denmark’s best player Hans Lindberg equalled 17:17. Everything was prepared for a dramatic final quarter of an hour.

The defending champion’s powers faded. Denmark, which has 12 HBL players in its squad, put it at 23:20 six minutes before the end – partly because superstar Mikerstar Mikkel Hansen found his way into the match. Prokop briefly placed Silvio Heinevetter (0 of 4) for Wolff (11 of 31.35 percent) between the posts.

Nevertheless, the DHB team came back to a goal 20 seconds before the end and even came back into possession. However, it was no longer enough to reach a conclusion.

Initial formation DHB: Wolff – Gensheimer, Fäth, Drux, Weinhold, Reichmann, Wiencek

Goal scorers Germany: Kühn (6), Weinhold (5), Dahmke (4), Wiencek (3), Fäth, Häfner (both 2), Wolff (1), Gensheimer (1 – 0 of 1 seven-metre), Reichmann (1 – 1 of 1 seven-metre)

Goal scorers Denmark: Lindberg (9 – 4 out of 4 seven-metre), Hansen (5), Mortensen, Olsen (both 3), Lauge Schmidt, Damgaard (both 2), Rene Toft Hansen, Henrik Toft Hansen (both 1),

Two-minute time penalty: Germany 3 – Denmark 1

Great appearance of the right wing of the Füchsen Berlin. With nine stalls, Lindberg was the best thrower of the match, converted all four seven-metre matches and had a total goal rate of 82 percent.

The young playmaker worked against this high-calibre opponent temporarily overtaxed, this time he lacked confidence in some situations. Weber missed none of his three throws in less than 20 minutes.