Cologne (dpa) – Germany’s handball players can fly to Egypt a little more relaxed after the successful World Cup dress rehearsal – spectators will not be there for the title fights on the Nile.
«In the current situation, this is the right decision and provides additional security. It is important that everyone stays healthy, ”said captain Uwe Gensheimer after the 34:20 (19: 5) gala in the European Championship qualification against Austria in Cologne.
Even without support from the empty ranks, the DHB selection gained a lot of self-confidence for the world championship with the runaway victory and also bought the ticket for the EM 2022 ahead of time. “Especially with the first half, I’m really satisfied,” said national coach Alfred Gislason and added with a view to the finals from January 13th to 31st: «We want to present ourselves really well there. I am extremely excited to see what lies ahead. ”
The positive news of the fan exclusion at the XXL tournament with 32 teams for the first time caused additional joy in the German camp after the final whistle. «I think it’s good that the world association has reacted. That makes the World Cup bubble safer, ”said Gislason. And goalkeeper Johannes Bitter, who helped initiate the protest against the audience concept, added on ARD: “Our concerns were taken very seriously. We are happy because the decision is very sensible. ”
In terms of sport, a lot also went according to plan. Debutant Antonio Metzner was the best thrower for the German team with five goals, Gensheimer and Paul Drux scored four times. “The wheels mesh better and better. But after wins, the team spirit is always good. Now it will be important that we survive with our new force even in critical situations, ”said Gensheimer.
On Tuesday, the team flies to the Nile with a lot of tailwind, where they meet Uruguay, Cape Verde and Hungary in the preliminary round of the World Cup. “That was a great performance”, praised DHB sports director Axel Kromer on his 44th birthday at the break. “We are on his very good path.”
Four days after the 36:27 in the first leg, the DHB selection started furiously in the game. After nine minutes, the fifth of the previous year was 5-0 ahead and increased this to 12-1 (17th) after conceding the first goal with a 7-0 run.
Even without the regular defensive supports Hendrik Pekeler, Patrick Wiencek and Finn Lemke, who voluntarily renounced the World Cup due to the Corona crisis, the defense around the strong Sebastian Firnhaber from HC Erlangen was stable and hardly let the Austrians get through. If so, goalkeeper Andreas Wolff was a strong support and provided additional security with numerous parades. “What the defense played in the first half was fantastic,” said Wolff, praising those in front.
The 29-year-old keeper from the Polish top team Vive Kielce caused unrest in the run-up to the game with his violent criticism of the World Cup cancellation by some teammates. However, the German team was unimpressed by this and impressed at times.
After the change, goalkeeping veteran Silvio Heinevetter from MT Melsungen moved between the posts for Wolff, who slightly injured his finger and immediately gave the all-clear after the game. The 36-year-old also showed a convincing performance. Christian Dissinger also made his comeback, but was unable to provide any impetus despite the first German goal in the second half.
Due to the large number of personnel changes, there was a break in the German game, which was no longer running at full speed. Large gaps in defense and slight ball losses in attack let the Austrians come back into the game and annoyed Gislason, who reacted with a time-out at 20:12 (39th). “In this phase it was sometimes bumpy,” said the national coach. Then his protégés tightened up again and easily brought home the clear victory.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210110-99-972980 / 5
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