In a tense match, the German handball team faced a disappointing defeat against Denmark, significantly diminishing their chances of reaching the European Championship semifinals. Despite a strong start, Germany’s performance declined in the last 20 minutes, ending the game at 30:22. Frustrations were voiced by players, including Xenia Smits, who highlighted missed opportunities as pivotal. With a challenging path ahead, Germany must perform exceptionally in upcoming matches to keep their medal hopes alive.
Courageous Effort Falls Short for German Handball Team
In a gripping showdown, the German handball players faced yet another setback as their aspirations of reaching the European Championship semifinals hang by a thread. Battling the formidable Danish team, who previously clinched third place at the World Championship, head coach Markus Gaugisch’s squad fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to a ‘bitter’ defeat.
Disappointment in Vienna
As they exited the Vienna Stadthalle, the German team wore expressions of disappointment. Emily Bölk and her teammates recognized that their dreams of making it to the EM semifinals were almost extinguished. The match concluded with a score of 30:22 (15:13), marking a significant collapse in the last 20 minutes. Unfortunately, this loss followed another defeat earlier in the tournament, casting doubt on their hopes of securing the first EM medal in three decades.
Xenia Smits, a backcourt player, expressed her frustration post-match, stating, “We made too many simple mistakes. We had opportunities to score but failed to capitalize on them. Winning is tough when you only perform well for part of the game.” She highlighted the importance of consistency, noting that a match lasts a full 60 minutes.
In front of a lively crowd of 4,025, Germany initially displayed resilience, especially with a commendable defensive effort, keeping the contest close until the 40th minute (19:20). However, a series of missed shots and a lackluster offensive performance hindered their ability to secure a favorable outcome. The standout player for Germany was pivot Lisa Antl, who netted four goals. Antl described the defeat as ‘more than bitter,’ emphasizing the hard work that the team put in.
With a record of 2:4 points in Main Round Group 2 after previous losses to the Netherlands (22:29) and a victory against Switzerland (36:27), Germany faces a tough road ahead. Upcoming matches against the reigning champions and Olympic victors, Norway, on Monday at 6 PM, and Slovenia on Wednesday at 3:30 PM (both aired on Sportdeutschland.TV) are crucial. Only the top two teams from this six-member group will advance to the medal rounds in Vienna. Antl remains determined, stating they need to “hit hard for another 60 minutes.”
The German team struggled with their execution early on, missing a staggering seven shots within the first eight minutes and trailing 1:4. Nevertheless, through relentless effort in their 6:0 defense, they gradually improved and found their footing. Xenia Smits leveled the score at 7:7 by the 17th minute, and shortly thereafter, Annika Lott scored to give Germany a brief lead at 9:8.
The second half began with promise for Germany. After quickly equalizing, Julia Maidhof’s goal put them ahead at 17:16 in the 35th minute. A critical save by goalkeeper Sarah Wachter on a penalty raised hopes for a comeback.
However, optimism was short-lived as nerves began to fray. The German women faltered offensively at crucial moments, enabling Denmark to capitalize on their mistakes and widen the gap following a missed fast break by Jenny Behrend, who could have equalized at 19:20.