Handball World Cup: Only Wolff delivers: Handball players not yet in the World Cup flow

The many hymns of praise left Andreas Wolff cold after his gala performance in the German handball players’ difficult 31:29 victory against Switzerland. Shortly after the final whistle, the once again outstanding veteran goalkeeper focused on the group final at the World Cup against the Czech Republic on Sunday (6 p.m./ARD and Sportdeutschland.TV) in Herning.

“We sometimes handled our chances without hesitation,” complained Wolff. That shouldn’t happen again against the Czech Republic, “otherwise it could be a bitter evening,” warned the 33-year-old and demanded: “We have to improve significantly against the Czechs. They are a dangerous team with a very strong defense. And a very strong one Goalkeeper.”

Wolff arrived in the tournament

Germany also has that with Wolff, as evidenced by 20 saves against Switzerland. The goalkeeper from German record champions THW Kiel, who became a father for the first time shortly before the World Cup and was not yet in top form at the start against Poland, became the match winner. “Andi played an outstanding game,” praised national coach Alfred Gislason.

Wolff’s teammates also spoke highly. “We have to thank Andi. In the end, there’s not much that’s missing for this to go wrong,” said captain Johannes Golla. Left winger Lukas Mertens said: “He saved our asses again.”

This was no surprise for David Späth, who forms the goalkeeping team with Wolff as he did at the Olympics. “We’re used to such performances from him. But what he showed was unbelievable. We’re happy to have him. He was the key to victory,” said the 22-year-old. And backcourt player Christoph Steinert was happy: “Today we brought Andreas Wolff into the tournament. It’s nice that he’s here now too.”

DHB team with many weaknesses

But otherwise? The defense, actually the showpiece, doesn’t work as usual. 57 goals conceded in two games against opponents who are not among the world elite are clearly too many. “We are not yet at the top level. We do not yet have the coordination from the Olympic Games in defense and have to rely too much on Andi. There is a lot to analyze,” said captain Johannes Golla.

The worm is also included in the attack. Against Switzerland, the throwing effectiveness was only 61 percent. At least in the crucial phase we could rely on the backcourt trio of Julian Köster (7 goals), Renars Uscins (6) and Juri Knorr (5), whose bad knee luckily held up.

In the duel with the Swiss, the DHB team also showed unknown weaknesses in retreat, which Mertens criticized clearly. “Mistakes are allowed to happen. But then we have to go back as quickly as possible and iron them out. We shouldn’t bother with the referees. That’s not a good point at a World Cup and I personally didn’t like it,” criticized the left winger and announced: “I’ll address that too. Denmark would have completely overrun us.”

National coach calls for improvement

The defending champion is waiting for the DHB selection in the main round, which will have to improve enormously as the tournament progresses. “Of course I’m relieved that we won. But it wasn’t a good game for us. We were far away from what we had planned,” criticized Gislason.

If he wants to win his first World Cup medal in 18 years, the Olympic silver medalist has to make significant progress – and, above all, be wide awake from the start. “The boys all come from the Bundesliga, none of them are fresh. Apparently they need a bit of temperature before things get going. That’s different to the Olympics,” said Gislason about his protégés’ noticeable initial difficulties against both Poland and Switzerland .

“We still have a lot of room for improvement and a lot to do better. We have to improve,” said Golla with a view to the tasks ahead. Gislason therefore took his charges to task before the Czech Republic game: “We have to act differently.”