Germany’s handball team was eliminated from the Handball World Championship after a narrow 31:30 loss to Portugal in extra time, despite strong performances from goalkeeper Andreas Wolff and penalty shooter Lukas Zerbe. Portugal’s Martim Costa scored the decisive goal just three seconds before the end, enabling them to reach the semifinals for the first time. Germany’s hopes for a third consecutive semifinal appearance were dashed, continuing their quest for a World Championship medal since 2007.
Germany’s Heartbreaking Exit from the Handball World Championship
The German handball team faced a stunning elimination in the dying moments of extra time during the recent Handball World Championship. Despite the valiant efforts of goalkeeper Andreas Wolff and penalty shooter Lukas Zerbe, the team fell short, with Portugal clinching a narrow 31:30 victory after extra time (26:26 at the end of regulation, 13:9 at halftime). Martim Costa delivered the decisive blow, scoring the winning goal just three seconds before the final whistle.
Portugal Advances to Semifinals for the First Time
This surprising turn of events allowed Portugal to secure a place in the semifinals for the first time in history, where they will be up against top contender Denmark in Oslo. Meanwhile, the other semifinal will feature host nation Croatia competing against the reigning European champions, France. For Germany, the dream of reaching a third consecutive semifinal—following their fourth-place finish at the home European Championship in 2024 and a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics— has slipped away. The quest for their first World Championship medal since their gold victory in 2007 continues.
Reflecting on the match, Zerbe expressed the team’s disappointment, stating, “We are all really disappointed right now. I am proud of how we fought back; we even had it in our own hands at the end. We have to learn from this.” Despite the setback, both Zerbe and Wolff played crucial roles in keeping Germany competitive throughout the match.
In front of a crowd of 7,457, the 29-year-old Zerbe showcased his composure at the penalty line, successfully converting all seven attempts, even as the German offense struggled, managing only six goals from open play in the first half. Wolff’s exceptional performance, with nine saves in the first half alone (21 total), helped mitigate the damage, but Germany still went into the break trailing 9:13.
Captain Johannes Golla highlighted the team’s first-half struggles, noting, “The burden from the first half is very, very heavy because we were not in the game at all for 30 minutes.” The defense, which initially held strong against Portugal’s formidable Costa brothers, ultimately faltered in the final moments.
As the match progressed, it became clear that Germany’s offensive play was lacking. With Francisco “Kiko” Costa scoring eight of his 15 shots, and Martim Costa netting the crucial goal after 69:57 minutes, Golla lamented the team’s inability to maintain a compact defense during key moments. The match’s progression saw Germany initially falter, unable to find their rhythm, particularly in the absence of injured playmaker Juri Knorr.
Germany’s attack stumbled out of the gate, allowing Portugal to establish an early 5:1 lead. Coach Gislason made tactical adjustments, bringing in Knorr, who had been sidelined due to illness. This change sparked a resurgence, with Germany narrowing the gap to 6:7. However, the team struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, unlike their dynamic Portuguese counterparts.
An inspiring halftime talk seemed to rejuvenate the German squad, as they quickly scored important goals at the start of the second half. After a red card for Portuguese player Luís Frade, Germany took advantage and turned a 16:18 deficit into a 20:18 lead. With Zerbe’s precision at the penalty line, Germany seemed poised to turn the tide.
As the match drew to a close, a back-and-forth exchange ensued, with Wolff making critical saves. Although the team faced challenges, particularly during a double disadvantage, Knorr’s strategic play helped Germany regain momentum. However, Portugal managed to force extra time due to a missed opportunity by Germany in the dying seconds of regulation.
The extra period began with Knorr scoring, but Kiko Costa quickly leveled the score again. Martim Costa, who had previously struggled, found his stride and put Portugal ahead. Despite Zerbe’s continued success from the penalty spot, it was Martim Costa’s final goal that sealed the game for Portugal, marking a historic moment for the team as they advanced to the semifinals.