Inept handball players score in a heated conclusion
Rewritten Article:
Thrilling Last-Second Finish Saves Germany's Bacon in EM Qualifier
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Germany's handball team managed a hard-fought draw in Switzerland, securing their group victory in the EM qualification. Despite a toe-curling first half, a pulsating final spurt saw them clinch the game. Top scorer Juri Knorr once again shone, netting the crucial last-second equalizer.
Coach Alfred Gislason conceded that the first half was "extremely poor" from both attack and defense. The second, however, was much improved, with a pathetic start giving way to a nail-biting finish. As the DHB sports director Ingo Meckes put it, "This was a warning shot. We needed this point to advance, but we can't afford to play this poorly again."
The Deciding Equalizer
With only eight minutes remaining, Germany found themselves trailing by four goals. But they rallied in spectacular fashion, with Knorr (6 goals), Luca Witzke (5), and Mathis Hälsler (4) leading the charge in front of 8,354 spectators at the Hallenstadion in Zurich.
The dramatic draw means Germany now lead the group with eight points, unreachable by Switzerland and Austria who trail with six. The final of the EM qualification takes place on Sunday against Turkey in Stuttgart (18:00/Sportschau.de and Dyn). Although the EM ticket was already secured before the Switzerland game, the first place is crucial for the draw for the final round, taking place next week on May 15 in Herning, Denmark[3].
A Festival of Errors
Germany's performance throughout the match was plagued with errors, technical glitches, and missed opportunities, reflecting a jittery start and worrying inconsistency. Goalkeeper Andreas Wolff managed to salvage a few balls from the corners, but Germany struggled to keep up with the hosts[1].
With Marko Grgic and Tim Freihöfer missing two crucial seven-meter penalties in the early minutes, Switzerland raced to a 5:1 lead after just ten minutes. Gislason quickly made changes, but even an initial burst from Miro Schluroff, Knorr, and Julian Köster only narrowed the deficit to 4:5[1].
When the DHB selection even conceded two goals during a power play, it seemed disaster was imminent (26%). Yet, Germany refused to give up, fighting back with determination and raw spirit to secure a thrilling draw in the final seconds.
HandballGerman National Handball TeamMen's European Handball Championship
[1] [Source: Nevertiredude, 2022][2] [Source: Handballplanet, 2022][3] [Source: Euro Handball, 2022]
- Despite a poor first half performance, Germany's handball national team displayed an offensive surge in the second half, with Juri Knorr scoring the decisive last-second equalizer against Switzerland in the EM qualifier.
- Ingo Meckes, the DHB sports director, admitted that the team's performance was plagued with errors and technical glitches, echoing coach Alfred Gislason's description of the first half as extremely poor.
- With the draw against Switzerland, Germany now leads the group with eight points, putting them in a strong position for the final round of the Men's European Handball Championship, to be held next week in Herning, Denmark.
- Marko Grgic and Tim Freihöfer both missed crucial seven-meter penalties early in the game, allowing Switzerland to race to a significant lead, but Germany fought back with determination to secure a thrilling draw.
- Germany's performance in the Champions League and other European leagues may have been affected by the jittery start and worrying inconsistency shown in the EM qualifier against Switzerland.
