The German national handball team achieved a resounding 31:19 victory over Tunisia in Herning, advancing confidently to the World Cup quarter-finals. Goalkeeper David Späth excelled with 21 saves, allowing key players to rest. Leading scorer Marko Grgic netted eleven goals, as head coach Alfred Gislason praised the team’s focus and depth despite some technical errors. Germany will travel to Oslo to compete for medals, facing either Portugal or Brazil in the knockout stage.
German Handball Team Shines Ahead of World Cup Quarter-Finals
The German national handball team has made a spectacular exit from Herning, securing a dominant victory as they gear up for the World Cup quarter-finals. In a thrilling showdown against Tunisia, goalkeeper David Späth displayed an exceptional performance, allowing several key players to rest as the team heads toward Oslo with renewed vigor.
Victorious Farewell in Herning
With an impressive score of 31:19 (18:8), the German squad, under the guidance of head coach Alfred Gislason, delivered a decisive win against the clear underdog in their main round finale. This victory marks their fifth win in six matches, setting a strong tone for the upcoming knockout game in Norway. “We were very focused; we accomplished our objectives,” Gislason expressed with satisfaction during a post-match interview on ZDF. “Our performance has steadily improved throughout the tournament, showcasing the depth of our squad.”
Despite facing challenges due to illness within the team, the Germans handled their responsibilities effortlessly. David Späth was a standout player, recording an impressive 21 saves, while the defense maintained a solid performance from the beginning. This allowed key players such as captain Johannes Golla, backcourt talents Renars Uscins and Julian Köster, and regular goalkeeper Andreas Wolff to rest during the match.
Marko Grgic emerged as the leading scorer for Germany with eleven goals, while Marian Michalczik, who was called up specifically for this match, added two more. The team is set to travel to Oslo on a charter flight this Sunday, where they will vie for medals next week, facing either Portugal or Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Gislason has emphasized the importance of resting players while maintaining competitive performance. With injuries affecting Juri Knorr and Rune Dahmke, along with a last-minute absence of Lukas Stutzke, Gislason’s strategic decisions are crucial. While Knorr undergoes examinations in Germany, Gislason remains optimistic about his recovery, stating he is “significantly better.”
Prior to the match, Gislason remarked, “I aim to rest players who have had significant playing time but also expect a strong performance from the team. They need to play as if they are competing for a spot in the final round.”
The expectations were met as the game commenced. Michalczik’s first World Cup goal opened the scoring, and soon after, Späth’s outstanding saves had the crowd cheering. By the 22nd minute, Germany surged ahead to a commanding 15:4 lead.
Though Gislason praised his players, he also noted areas for improvement, particularly concerning technical errors. “The defense is good,” he acknowledged during a timeout but highlighted the nine technical errors as “catastrophic.” Despite these challenges, Späth’s twelve first-half saves and a save rate exceeding 70 percent helped the team maintain their advantage. Backcourt player Christoph Steinert commented, “We need to reduce our ball losses, but the defense is outstanding, and David Späth is incredibly good.”
As the second half unfolded, the German team’s dominance continued, much to the delight of over 4,000 fans in Herning. Even though the attack faced some challenges against the now-overwhelmed Tunisians, Späth’s resilience at the goal kept the momentum strong. With a lead stretching to 15 goals at 28:13 and just ten minutes remaining, the team’s focus is undoubtedly set on the challenges that lie ahead in Oslo.