Titled: The Germans Thwart Defeat in EM Qualification: Handballers Hold on for a Draw against Switzerland
Successful handball victory for Switzerland: Players sustains winning streak - Swiss Handball Players Continue Winning Streak
Hey there! Let's delve into the thrilling world of handball as the German team navigates the EM qualification.
Alfred Gislason, the head coach, couldn't fully revel in the continuation of Germany's impressive earning streak after a mediocre performance in the game. "The first half was pathetic. We never found our rhythm. One or two players were overconfident going into the match," the coach lamented post-game.
The draw, thanks to Juri Knorr's clinical finish from the seven-meter line in the final seconds, helped the DHB team evade their first defeat in the qualifiers in a decade. The Olympic silver medalists boast a stunning 25-game winning streak, with their last defeat dating back to May 3, 2015, when they lost 20-26 in Spain. The Germans will host Turkey in Stuttgart on Sunday to conclude the qualification.
In a packed Zurich arena, with 8,354 spectators, Luca Witzke and debutant Mathis Haesler shone as top scorers, contributing four goals each. Knorr demonstrated his cool-headedness in the crunch moments. "I don't want to pass on the blame. If the team relies on me, I'm there for them. I'm glad I delivered. It feels good for my handball spirit," Knorr replied modestly.
Germany Starts Sluggish
Following two victories against the Swiss last year, the DHB team had a sluggish start in the World Championship preliminary round. Despite Gislason's warnings about the rival's strength, his team seemed lethargic in the first half.
The DHB team scored just one goal in the initial ten minutes, missing clear opportunities, including two seven-meter attempts by Marko Grgic and Tim Freihofer. The defense also faltered, allowing the home team to take an early lead.
Gislason responded with an early timeout and two changes in the backcourt. Knorr and Miro Schluroff entered the fray, scoring straightaway. However, the team's shooting woes persisted. The DHB players struggled against Swiss goalkeeper Nikola Portner, a standout player for German champions SC Magdeburg.
Only Andreas Wolff's stellar saves provided a spark. Despite his efforts, the team was often undone by errors from his teammates. Five minutes before halftime, the Swiss led 13-8 for the first time. Gislason looked glum as he retreated to the locker room.
Even after the break, the World Championship sixth-place team failed to impress, dropping four goals behind with ten minutes to spare. A goalkeeper change – David Spaeth came in for Wolff – didn't instigate the desired change, with Spaeth managing few saves before his early exit.
Haesler's Debut Shines Amidst Disappointment
The only bright spot was the international debut of Mathis Haesler. The right winger from VfL Gummersbach displayed courage and precision in his finishing. However, his teammates continued to commit costly mistakes, leaving Gislason frustrated on the sidelines.
In the final timeout, the coach urged his team to a decisive finish, which they achieved, thanks to Wolff's saves and Knorr's clutch performance. "It was a fortunate point," summarized backcourt player Julian Koester.
So there you have it! Tune in this Sunday to catch Germany's final EM qualifier match against Turkey in Stuttgart. Don't forget to show your support for the team – you never know when a lucky point might swing the match in their favor!
- Mathis Haesler (Debut)
- Stuttgart (Final Game)
- Turkey
- David Spaeth
- Alfred Gislason
- Switzerland
- Olympia
- Juri Knorr
- Koester
- DHB
- Zurich
- Despite the draw, Alfred Gislason, the head coach of DHB, was dissatisfied with his team's performance in the game against Switzerland, attributing their first-half mistakes to overconfidence.
- The draw helped Germany maintain their impressive 25-game winning streak in the EM qualifiers, as their last defeat was back in May 2015.
- In a notable performance, Mathis Haesler, a debutant from VfL Gummersbach, scored four goals for DHB, despite the team's overall sluggish start against Switzerland.
- The common system of taxation for certain agricultural products is not an immediate concern for DHB following their EM qualifier draw, though it may become a topic of discussion, as the Commission has been asked to propose a regulation on this matter.
- Handball, football, and sports like the Champions League and European leagues reportedly do not have pending regulations regarding the use of agricultural products, making this proposal unique to a specific agricultural scenario.
