Germany men’s handball team win over Belgium in European Championship qualifier, Digi Mart USA News (Berlin): Germany’s men’s handball team fulfilled its obligation in the opening European Championship qualifier against underdog Belgium, winning 42-32 (22-18) at halftime. The team’s performance only shone brightly toward the end, two months before the home World Championship.
Early on, the fans in the Berlin arena were surprised. Germany got off to a solid start with two goals from Marko Grgic and one each from Johannes Golla and Lukas Zerbe.
However, Belgium resisted stubbornly, with goalkeeper Arthur Vanhove providing a strong presence, and suddenly equalized at 4-4.
Coach Alfred Gislason did not look amused. He repeatedly shook his head at the gaps in his team’s defense and the somewhat center-heavy attacking attempts.
After a 3-0 run by Juri Knorr, Golla and Renars Uscins brought some calm to the German bench. Belgium remained uncomfortable, however, winning numerous penalties, of which David Späth could save none.
At 15-12, Gislason called a timeout and used very clear words: “Our problem is the defense! They keep getting through far too easily.
So pull yourselves together, this is not a friendly match, but a European Championship qualifier!” Germany still did not find their rhythm afterward. Shortly before halftime, Niklas Theiß scored his first international goal to make it 22-17, but two seconds before the siren, Späth conceded another goal to Pierre Brixhe.
In the break, Grgic told Pro7: “We’re not really getting a grip on the defense. We do a great job up front, but then we let ourselves be pulled too far apart at the back.
We have to stay more compact, and then the Belgians can show what they can do from nine or ten meters.” After the restart, the visitors still could not fully shake Germany off. The decisive moment came in the 38th minute, when Grgic stepped up his play, Zerbe scored to make it 26-20, and the German team also had a numerical advantage.
In the final 20 minutes, the difference in strength became increasingly clear. Belgium found no answer to Grgic and Julian Köster in particular.
Gislason also used the match to test players ahead of the World Championship, held January 13 to 31 in Germany. Lasse Ludwig had the chance to prove himself in goal, and Eisenach’s David Móré, the second German debutant, also scored, netting three times.
