Exciting World Cup party at the end of the preliminary round: Germany’s handball players remain on course for success at the home World Cup and, after a 31:20 (17:10) gala against Serbia, travel to the main round in Dortmund with a clean slate.
In front of 5,527 spectators in Stuttgart, left winger Antje Döll was the best thrower with eight goals for the undefeated DHB selection, which took 4-0 points into the second phase of the tournament. Montenegro, the Faroe Islands and Spain are waiting for the team of national coach Markus Gaugisch in the fight for a ticket to the quarter-finals.
DHB selection unimpressed by Huhnstock injury
A few hours before the game, the exit from the World Cup for circle runner Jolina Huhnstock (arm injury) dampened the mood in the German camp. Marie Steffen from Oldenburg will join the team on Monday to replace the 24-year-old from Buxtehuder SV. But there was also good news: Backcourt ace Emily Vogel returned after her break with a cold.
Inspired by the confident victories against Iceland (32:25) and Uruguay (38:12), the DHB women really got started after a short start-up time. Above all, the defense was solid and formed the foundation for a successful start. After nine minutes, Germany was four goals ahead at 6-2, which prompted Serbia’s coach to call an early timeout.
Driven by the fans, the DHB selection stayed in rhythm and extended the lead to seven goals for the first time at 10:3. Gaugisch had said shortly before kick-off: “It’s going to be a very difficult task. It won’t be like we open the door and tear everything away.”
Germany can hardly be slowed down
That’s exactly what the DHB women did, to the delight of the national coach. Serbia found no means at all to counter the World Cup hosts’ attacking force, which at times went into a frenzy. And then there was goalkeeper Katharina Filter, who gave her teammates additional security with a number of brilliant saves.
At 16:6 after 22 minutes, the game was already in jeopardy – even if only one more goal was added before the break because a few mistakes crept in. After the restart, Germany pulled out all the stops again and quickly pulled away to ten goals again.
It’s true that everything wasn’t running as smoothly as it had been in the outstanding start phase. But the DHB selection thrilled the audience with their enthusiasm and raised hopes for further top performances in the main round, where at least second place is required to make it to the quarter-finals.