Crime! Germany is shaking its way to victory in the European Championship test match

Bumpy endurance test before the home European Championship – despite a changeable performance, Germany’s handball players got in the mood for the European Championship with a last-minute victory.

Six days before the start of their medal hunt, national coach Alfred Gislason’s team won 34:33 (18:14) against Portugal, but still revealed some weaknesses in view of the opening game against Switzerland.

National coach Alfred Gislason was not satisfied. “We should have led higher at halftime. What makes me very dissatisfied is that we make a lot of technical mistakes,” he complained ARDinterview and added, “In the second half we didn’t have the defense and goalkeeper that we normally have.”

On Thursday, in front of 4,546 spectators, Juri Knorr was the best thrower for the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB) with six goals. Martin Hanne celebrated a great debut in the DHB dress, scoring five goals. “He played a very good game,” praised Gislason.

The German team initially impressed with a variable offense, but the defense still had some coordination difficulties. After the break, the game became a close affair – also because the team made too many missed throws in attack. Goalkeeper Andreas Wolff provided the decisive scene with a save around 20 seconds before the end of the game.

“We want to create a very aggressive and mobile defense and put a lot of pressure forward,” said Gislason immediately before the Portugal game ARD-Microphone. After the two courses in Frankfurt and Brunsbüttel, the mood in the team is “outstanding so far. Things are going extremely well in training.”

Captain Johannes Golla and his teammates confirmed these impressions at the beginning. At the back, keeper Wolff went six minutes without conceding a goal, while at the front, playmaker Juri Knorr and youngster Julian Köster impressed with their wit and goal threat.

Even a glitch with the hall clock, which caused a minute-long delay after five seconds, could not cause the DHB selection to lose their concentration.

When the lightning-fast right winger Timo Kastening made it 9:5 with his third goal after a quarter of an hour, Gislason’s facial expressions noticeably relaxed. From then on, the Icelander took advantage of the early lead and tried a few things.

Sebastian Heymann and Philipp Weber were allowed to play in the backcourt, U21 world champion Justus Fischer in the circle – and Hanne, THE surprise in the German European Championship squad, also made his international debut. Remarkable: The 22-year-old scored his first international goal with the first touch of the ball to make it 15:10 (24th).

Gislason was still not completely satisfied. “It’s about defense!” he shouted to his team during a timeout towards the end of the first half. 14 goals conceded at halftime – they were obviously too much for more than just the national coach.

Germany couldn’t get the defensive difficulties under control; a mistake in substitution resulted in an unnecessary outnumbered number. When Portugal had meanwhile got within two goals, Gislason complained during the time-out: “We are far too static!” Portugal stayed close, but ultimately missed the win. “A good game only jumps as high as it has to,” said Wolff with a wink.

The game to read.

And Wolff is there! Very important save from the German keeper, who secured the victory.

After Gislason takes a break, Uscins brings his team back in front. Portugal takes the final timeout with 51 seconds left in the game.

The victory is shaky! After one of Hanne’s few mistakes, Joaquim Nazaré scored against substitute Andi Wolff with a remarkable spin.

Nice Kempa hit! Lukas Mertens throws the long pass from a tight angle to his half-right Uscins, who restores the two-goal lead.

The Portuguese are taking another break. Compensation is once again within reach for the southern Europeans. Gislason, on the other hand, wants to see more speed on the right side because there is a double attack-defense transition from the opponent.

Great goal from Golla! In the right wing position he receives the ball with his back to the goal. Nevertheless, he can turn and ultimately overcome Capdeviel.

Now there is a change in the goal. David Späth is allowed into the goal in the final phase and is loudly welcomed by the fans. But he cannot parry Martim Costa’s first throw.

The DHB team is now finally back in the game. Hanne scores again and Uscins plays a beautiful clearance for Knorr a little later, so that he can increase the score to four goals again.

Lukas Mertens also has to leave the field for two minutes, but his teammates fight against the equalizer. Hanne, Häfner and substitute Renars Uscins scored despite being numerically inferior.

Immediately afterwards, Köster ended the five-minute dry spell in attack, but things didn’t really go any better for the DHB team. Portugal now reduces the deficit to just one goal and also benefits from a time penalty against Heymann.

The German attack is making too many mistakes. That’s why Gislason takes the time out and complains about the static offensive game.

Now things get a little confusing. After Timo Kastening missed a penalty throw, Jannik Kohlbacher received a time penalty for a substitution error, so both teams are now decimated.

It goes very fast. The German defense has no access at the moment and Wolff lets a strong throw from Martins through. It is not yet the game of the German number one.

It’s a lively start to the second half. Daymaro Salina opened the scoring for Portugal before Golla and Knorr overcome the opposing keeper Gustavo Capdeville.

After the numerous changes in the first half, almost the entire starting seven is back on the board. Only Heymann comes in defense to give Knorr a breather.

Half time in Flensburg! The guests were able to shorten the score again because Kastening didn’t take advantage of his chances, first from outside and then in the fast counterattack. Nevertheless, it was a good first half for the DHB team.

After Sebastian Heymann’s first goal, Golla received the first time penalty for the DHB team, although this was controversial. A little later, Portela shortened the score for his team by 7 meters.

Portugal is now trying to slow down the German offensive with a more offensive defense. However, this variant is not really successful, because first Golla scores from the circle, before Kai Häfner uses a gap from seven meters to score.

What a start for Hanne! He takes the throw in the first attack and welds the ball into the corner. This is how you can fit in.

Now Gislason takes the first timeout of the game. He complains about the weak defense and the passes to the circle that are too easy. He also brings Martin Hanne on the offensive.

The German offensive cannot currently be stopped. Almost every throw is a hit. Häfner and Kastening scored the next two goals with a penalty throw.

The German defense with a strong Wolff in the keeper is driving the Portuguese to desperation again. Kastening then gives his team their first six-goal lead in the majority.

The national coach’s words have an impact. Two nice goals from Juri Knorr and Timo Kastening increase the lead.

After a fast counter-attack goal from Juri Knorr, Portugal takes the first time out. Alfred Gislason seems satisfied with his team’s performance so far and gives a few tips for the attack.

Now the guests are slowly picking up speed. Their defense is now a little better and they are now more consistent in their actions offensively. Miguel Soares Martins in particular shines with a brace.

But now it has happened. The Portuguese score the first goal of the game with a 7-meter shot from Pedro Portela. But the DHB seven are not impressed by this, Timo Kastening restores the old distance with a fast counter-attack.

It’s the start of the DHB team. Andreas Wolff keeps the box clean at the back, while Timo Kastening and Johannes Golla further extend the lead at the front.

The German team’s first attack comes to nothing because Julian Köster causes a striker foul. After a missed throw by the Portuguese, Köster now hits the goal on the second attempt.

The two teams start the game around three minutes late. The technical error has now been resolved.

And off we go with the first German test match before the European Championships. But there is the first interruption because there are technical problems with the watch.

The national coach emphasized that there would be no more experiments this close to the start of the European Championship. Rather, two victories on Thursday (4 p.m.) in Flensburg and on Saturday (6 p.m.) in Kiel should provide fresh tailwind for the medal hunt from next week.

“These are the last two preparatory games for the European Championship opener against Switzerland. We will do everything we can to play really well,” said Gislason.

The German team makes no secret of the fact that two wins should give them additional self-confidence. “It’s clear that we want to go into the tournament with a good feeling,” said DHB sports director Axel Kromer SID: “And if we win two games against Portugal, then we will certainly be a little stronger for the Switzerland game than if we don’t win the games against Portugal.”

The European Championship begins for the German team next Wednesday in the Düsseldorf football stadium in front of more than 50,000 fans against Switzerland. Then it’s in Berlin against North Macedonia and record world champions France. Only the top two finishers reach the main round.

With Sport Information Service (SID)