Gwobbled, fought, won: Germany’s women’s handball team got off to a great start at the European Championships. After initial difficulties, the team of national coach Markus Gaugisch won against Poland with 25:23 (11:12) and with the first two points headed straight for the main round.
In Podgorica, backcourt player Alina Grijseels from Borussia Dortmund was the best scorer with eight goals, captain Emily Bölk only ran hot in the second round and still scored six goals.
“It was hard work,” said Grijseels, “but we knew that Poland are a strong team. At half-time we told ourselves we needed more pace and aggression and that’s how we won the game. In the next few games we have to be there from the start.”
The German team seemed nervous in front of around 400 spectators in the Moraca Arena, especially at the beginning, but got into the game better and better. Meanwhile, Poland has been waiting for a win at a European Championship since 2014: in 2016, 2018 and 2020 the team was eliminated in the preliminary round.
Other preliminary round opponents in the selection of the German Handball Association (DHB) are now co-hosts Montenegro on Monday (6 p.m.) and Spain, fourth in the World Cup, on Wednesday (8.30 p.m./both Sportdeutschland.TV) – there was a surprise in the duel between the two on Saturday : Montenegro celebrated a clear 30:23 (12:9). With another win, the main round ticket would already be secure and the first German tournament goal would be achieved. The first three teams in the group of four qualify for the next tournament phase, the points won against the main round opponents are taken with them.
Second half with new strength
For Gaugisch, the game was also his tournament debut as national coach. “I couldn’t be happier,” he said before the game. However, the beginning was shaky from a German point of view. Bölk and Co. hardly found a way through the Polish cover, got caught again and again and ran into numerous counterattacks. In the 7th minute, the DHB team was two goals behind for the first time, and the gap grew to four goals as a result.
The closer the break got, the better the Gaugisch team found their way. Goalkeeper Katharina Filter also played her part in putting Germany back within striking distance at the start of the second half.
After a very strong start, the game seemed to tip over, the DHB women drew three goals away, and Bölk also came into their own in the offensive game. However, Poland did not let themselves be shaken off – and were ahead again with 14 minutes to go. It went back and forth, Bölk got stronger and stronger, in the end it was just enough.
This time Germany wants to achieve significantly more than in the past World Cup and European Championship finals (seventh place each), and the association has invested heavily in this. With Gaugisch, the top coach in women’s club handball has been hired, and a team bonus of 250,000 euros, which is enormous by German women’s handball standards, is tempting for a possible title win. Reaching the main round will be rewarded with 30,000 euros.
