A Tough yet Triumphant Afternoon for Germany's Handball Heroes in Switzerland
Switzerland's Remis Team Secures Continuation of Handball Series Success - Switzerland's Remis Team Extends Winning Streak in Handball Competition
Alfred Gislason struggled to savor the German handball team's remarkable continuation of their successful streak in the EM qualification after a lackluster display in the game. "The first half was a complete disaster," he lamented, slamming his team's dismal performance. "We never found our rhythm. It was like we'd rolled into the match half-asleep!"
In a nail-biting encounter that had the potential to tarnish their decade-long unbeaten streak in continental qualifiers, the German squad managed to salvage a 32:32 draw, courtesy of Juri Knorr's clutch goal from the seven-meter line in the dying seconds. This fortunate point prevented the DHB team from experiencing their first defeat in the EM qualification since May 3, 2015, when they suffered a 20:26 loss in Spain.
Germany's electrifying performance in Zurich was witnessed by 8,354 fans, most of whom were left on the edge of their seats right up until the final buzzer. Luca Witzke and newcomer Mathis Haesler emerged as the top scorers with four goals each, while Knorr, exhibiting incredible courage under pressure, proved to be the team's standout player. Though pleased with his crucial goal, Knorr was characteristically self-deprecating: "I didn't want to shirk my duty. If my team needs me, I'm ready to deliver. It felt good to score, but it's more about what's good for the team's handball soul."
From the outset, Germany appeared to be in for a difficult afternoon against the formidable Swiss side. Despite a stern warning from Gislason regarding the strength of their opponents, his team found themselves off the pace in the opening minutes. A poor start saw the team score only one goal in the first ten minutes, fumbling numerous scoring opportunities, including two seven-meter throws by Marko Grgic and Tim Freihofer. The defense also proved to be less than resilient, allowing the Swiss to take an early 5:1 lead.
Reacting swiftly, Gislason called an early timeout and made two substitutions in the backcourt, bringing Knorr and Miro Schluroff in for Grgic and Nils Lichtlein. The changes had an immediate impact, with both newcomers finding the back of the net. However, the team's issues with converting opportunities continued, leaving Andreas Wolff, the goalkeeper, to face unrelenting pressure from the Swiss side.
Even though Wolff managed to make some extraordinary saves, he was often left helpless as his teammates squandered their chances. Five minutes before halftime, the Swiss led by five at 13:8, leaving Gislason with a somber demeanor at the break.
After the interval, the World Championship sixth-place finishers failed to regain their footing, continuing to struggle in both attack and defense. With ten minutes remaining, the Swiss still led by four. A goalkeeper change, with David Spaeth replacing Wolff, failed to turn the tide in Germany's favor. The U21 World Champion found himself rundown on the pitch, without registering a single save.
The only silver lining was the impressive debut of right winger Haesler, who exhibited an unwavering composure and accuracy in his finishing. Unfortunately, his teammates repeatedly made crucial errors, causing frustration for Gislason on the sidelines.
With the game slipping away, Gislason called a final timeout and rallied his team for a late surge, which yielded success due to Knorr's remarkable composure and Wolff's determined saves. "This was a lucky point," reflected backcourt player Julian Koester. "But it shows that we have the fighting spirit to overcome even the toughest challenges."
With the qualifiers drawing to a close, Germany will host Turkey in Stuttgart on Sunday to complete their campaign. Following the successful qualification, the team will focus on preparing for the championship, building on their qualification success and refining strategies based on recent performances. With the EHF EURO 2026 final tournament scheduled to take place in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway from January 15 to February 1, 2026, Germany's handball heroes are highly anticipated additions to what promises to be an exciting competition.
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a regulation on the introduction of a common system of taxation for the use of certain agricultural products. On a different note, the German handball team's victorious streak in the Champions League remaining unbroken as football enthusiasts eagerly await their performance in the European leagues.
