Germany’s handball players celebrated a perfect start to the main round of the World Cup with a win against Romania.
The German handball players continued their impressive run of success at the World Cup in Scandinavia and took a big step towards the quarter-finals. Despite hair-raising mistakes at times, the DHB team won its first main round game against Romania with 24:22 (9:12) on Thursday (December 7th, 2023) and celebrated its fourth victory in the fourth game. During keeper Katharina Filter’s strong performance in Herning, Denmark, Antje Döll and Annika Lott were the best German throwers with four goals each on her 24th birthday.
“The first half was difficult, we had too much respect for the passes to the circle. We said at halftime that we had to fight this one-on-one because we are better one-on-one.”said national coach Markus Gaugisch. “That was a great mental performance. Compliments to the girls”praised Gaugisch after the final whistle and added with a view to the tasks ahead: “Of course, this gives us further self-confidence and helps us to develop our own faith.”
With a win against Serbia in the quarterfinals
With a win on Saturday over Serbia, Gaugisch’s selection can make it into the top eight. The main round concludes next Monday against title contenders and co-hosts Denmark. The best two in the group qualify for the quarterfinals. “We now have the first match point to achieve our minimum goal”said co-captain Emily Bölk
Gaugisch had the game as “cruxing point game” designated. “If Romania loses this game, they are usually gone. And if we shake off Romania, we have a good chance of being in the top two.”said the 49-year-old. At the same time he warned “the dangerous axis” around the four-time world handball player Cristina Neagu in the backcourt and circle runner Crina Pintea – as it turned out.
Nervous start
Around 2,500 spectators saw it from the start “absolute fight”, which Bölk had predicted. The German selection lacked the sovereignty from the game against Poland. Carelessness characterized the initial phase, in which the DHB team quickly fell behind by three goals (3:6).
More momentum after the break
Romania played anything but outstanding, but benefited from Germany’s error-prone game. Xenia Smits and birthday girl Annika Lott missed the equalizer while standing alone. Alina Grijseels missed two seven-meter penalties against Romania’s strong goalkeeper in the first half – and coach Gaugisch called on the sidelines in vain “more movement” on the offensive.
After the break, World Cup debutant Viola Leuchter brought more impetus to the attacking game and caused celebration on the German bench with two early goals. At the same time, keeper Katharina Filter kept her team in the game with a few saves. Again the DHB team had several chances to equalize – again they made hair-raising mistakes. And yet Germany took the lead in the 42nd minute for the first time since 1-0 (16:15).
Filters in top form
Filter was now at his best between the posts and saved one throw after the other. For the first time, there were major gaps in the Romanian defense. Ten minutes before the end of the game, the DHB squad suddenly led by five goals (22:17). Germany was now more compact at the back and brought the important victory over time.