World Cup Qualification
Handball players solve the World Cup ticket with a thumping victory
Germany’s Meike Schmelzer throws the ball. Photo
© Angelos Tzortzinis/dpa
As expected, the German handball players easily qualify for the World Cup. Greece does not present the DHB selection with any problems.
Germany’s handball players formed a cheering circle after the effortless qualification for the World Cup and hopped happily across the floor.
With an easy 36:20 (20:11) victory in the playoff second leg against the blatant outsider Greece, the team of national coach Markus Gaugisch bought the ticket for the finals from November 30th to December 17th in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, as expected .
“We’ve achieved our goal confidently,” said Gaugisch after completing the mandatory task with confidence, “even if our completion rate today wasn’t as high as we would have liked.” The German team had already clearly won the first leg by 39:13.
Against the bleak backdrop of 80 spectators in Chalkida, Xenia Smits with six goals and Amelie Berger (5) were the best throwers for the DHB selection. Co-captain Alina Grijseels, on the other hand, was only able to celebrate her 27th birthday with one goal.
Findings despite clear circumstances
As in the first leg, the EM seventh acted concentrated from the start and lived up to his role as a huge favourite. In view of the serious difference in performance, the DHB team quickly pulled away and continuously expanded the lead. The game was already decided at the break. “We knew that Greece was inferior to us individually, so we wanted to try a lot,” said Gaugisch.
Even after the change, the situation on the floor was clear, although the DHB selection, especially in defense, was not as effective as in the first leg last Sunday. “We have gained some insights. At various transitions we have to talk again about how the processes are,” said Gaugisch.
The national team is now on a six-month break. The direct preparation for the World Cup does not start until October with two European Championship qualifiers. “We can be satisfied in many areas, but we have to do some work on some things,” said the national coach, outlining the tasks in the coming months.