The German handball players started the Olympic qualifying tournament on Thursday in Hanover with a 41:29 (16:13) win against Algeria. But against the blatant outsiders, coach Alfred Gislason’s team fell far short of expectations for a long time.
One thing was clear immediately after the final whistle: If the DHB selection wants to get their ticket to the Olympic Games in Paris (July 26th to August 11th), they will have to improve significantly in their other two games in the group of four. On Saturday (2:20 p.m.) we face Croatia at the same venue, and on Sunday (2:10 p.m., live on Erste) against Austria. Only the two best teams win the ticket for the Olympic tournament in France. And only if qualification is reached, Gislason’s contract will be extended until 2027. Austria and Croatia will meet in the evening.
Hanoverian Uscins named “Man of the Match”.
“When we improved at the end and were able to get a clear win, we enjoyed it,” said backcourt player Renars Uscins. The left-hander from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf was the best thrower for the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB) with ten goals on Thursday evening in the sold-out arena with 10,099 spectators. He was also named “Man of the Match”.
“It was super nice. This is the home arena, here you play with the ‘Recken’. And the fact that you can play here with the national team and then have a good day – that’s really something very special,” said Uscins.
Gislason also said the U21 world champion had a “very good game”. Against the Croatians, “of course we have to play more stable now. We can’t throw away so much,” said the Icelander, who meets a compatriot on the sidelines in the second game. Former national coach Dagur Sigurdsson has been training the Croatians since the end of February, against whom Germany lost the sportingly insignificant main round final at the European Championships in January 24:30.
Changes in the DHB squad compared to the EM
Gislason had made some personnel changes compared to the home European Championships in January. Playmaker Marian Michalczik from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf was back in the squad after recovering from an injury. Unlike Philipp Weber, who hasn’t played too many games recently at SC Magdeburg.
Franz Semper from SC DHfK Leipzig is also celebrating his comeback in the DHB dress, replacing veteran Kai Häfner in the right backcourt. Circular Justus Fischer from TSV Hannover-Burgdorf had to miss the game due to a broken thumb, and Martin Hanne (back injury), his teammate at the club, also had to miss the international matches in familiar surroundings.
Germany off the roll before the break
After ten minutes everything looked like it would, so everything should take its course against the penultimate World Cup team in 2023. The DHB team led 9:5 – local hero Uscins made sure of that with his third goal. Since the 6-0 defense of the DHB selection proved to be right in the following period, with one or two balls being intercepted and goalkeeper Andreas Wolff being there with strong saves, the lead grew to seven goals (13:6/17 . and 16:9/25.). But then suddenly it was cut off.
Gislason’s team lacked consistency in attack and the North Africans exploited the gaps in the German defense to score one goal at a time in the final minutes of the first half. One player in the Algerian team in particular stood out: Messaoud Berkous contributed three goals to the 4-0 run. After half the game, Germany suddenly only led by three goals, 16:13, and that didn’t meet their own expectations at all.
According to Gislason’s clear announcement: Germany is pulling away
“It was closer at halftime than we would have liked,” said captain Johannes Golla from SG Flensburg-Handewitt: “After the break, we were able to turn the switch on after a clear speech in the dressing room from Alfred.” Not immediately, however. At first the lead narrowed to two goals before the DHB selection finally shifted up a gear or two.
Germany – Algeria 41:29 (16:13)
Germany: Späth, Wolff – Uscins 10, Golla 7, Köster 5, Mertens 4, Semper 3, Zerbe 3/1, Dahmke 2, Kastening 2, Knorr 2, Heymann 1, Lichtlein 1, Steinert 1, Kohlbacher, Michalczik
Algeria: Ghedbane, Zemouchi – Ayoub 8, Berkous 6, Nori Selim 4, Blida 2, Hadj Sadok 2, Khermouche 2, Hichem 1, Kaabeche 1, Rayane 1, Saker 1, Zennadi 1, Hacene-Djaballah, Hani Abderrafik, Meddahi
Referee: Julian Lopez Grillo (Argentina)/Sebastián Lenci (Argentina)
Viewers: 10,099
Penalty minutes: 4/6
Uscins repeatedly came through in the right back area. With his ninth goal in the 49th minute he made it 30:21. The game was decided early. Although the North Africans fought self-sacrificingly in the final minutes, it was also clear that they were running out of strength. The Germans quickly looked ahead. “We lost points against Austria and Croatia at the European Championships. We want to do better and then be able to say on Sunday that we are going to Paris for the Olympic Games,” said Uscins.
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NDR 2 Sport | March 14, 2024 | 11:03 p.m