Germany’s handball players are battling against Spain for a place in the final of the Olympic Games. Past duels promise pure drama.
The German handball players do not believe that the preliminary round victory against Spain will have an impact on the semi-finals. “It makes no difference. We know that we are starting all over again now. This will not be decided in the normal way,” said Rune Dahmke before today’s Olympic duel with the Iberians (4.30 p.m.). The left winger prepared himself “for the next drama.”
“Very unpleasant opponent”
In the group phase, the team of national coach Alfred Gislason won 33:31 and secured an early place in the quarter-finals. The knockout phase began with an epic victory over top favorite France, which should inspire the DHB team and carry them to gold. “I’m not worried that we’ll get into a high. We just need to get back on our feet somehow so that we’re reasonably fresh in the semi-finals,” said Dahmke.
The DHB men start the semi-final as slight favorites. In contrast to Gislason’s selection, the Spaniards were rarely convincing in their quarter-final against Egypt. “The Spaniards are a team that can reach the final in a tournament like this without playing a single good game. That’s how it feels right now. They are a very unpleasant opponent,” warned captain Johannes Golla. “I hope that it won’t be a disadvantage because we are taking it lightly, but of course that won’t happen.”
Two dramatic duels at the Olympics
There have been many duels between Germany and Spain, two at the Olympics are unforgettable. First of all, the dramatic 26:27 in the quarter-finals in Sydney in 2000. Shortly before the end, Stefan Kretzschmar’s shot hit the underside of the crossbar. The Spaniards ran a counterattack and scored the winning goal.
Four years later, both teams faced each other in an epic quarter-final in Athens. The match is still considered one of the greatest games of the German national handball team. After 80 minutes of play, two periods of extra time and a seven-meter thriller, Germany advanced to the semi-finals with a 32:30 win and ultimately took silver.
Source: Stern
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