World Cup main round conclusion: Späth Gala: Handball players celebrate World Cup victory

Späth show at the end of the main round: Despite ongoing personnel problems, Germany’s handball players warmed up for the hot World Cup phase with a resounding victory. The team of national coach Alfred Gislason, which had already qualified for the quarter-finals, easily won the meaningless last main round game against Tunisia with 31:19 (18:8) and finished Group I with 8:2 points in second place behind defending champions and Olympic champions Denmark (10:0). away.

In front of more than 4,000 spectators in Herning, goalkeeper David Späth delivered a gala performance and demonstrated his class with a total of 21 saves. The keeper was also named player of the game. Backcourt player Marko Grgic was the best thrower for the DHB selection, which flies to Oslo on Sunday, with eleven goals. “I can’t complain today. It was our goal to decide the game as early as possible,” said Grgic on ZDF and announced that the DHB selection would travel to Oslo with a big chest.

Respect for surprise teams from Portugal and Brazil

Either Portugal or Brazil will be waiting there next Wednesday in the quarter-finals, who surprisingly left behind Olympic third-placed Spain, European Championship third-placed Sweden and co-hosts Norway in the main round Group III. It won’t be decided until Sunday whether the DHB team will meet the southern Europeans or the South Americans.

“The Portuguese played a great tournament, Brazil is also playing an outstanding tournament,” said national coach Gislason, who was satisfied with the performance against Tunisia as well as with the World Cup so far. “Now we’ve only lost one game, which is actually very good,” said the Icelander, whose team has only lost against defending champions Denmark. The outstanding Späth had great fun during his 60-minute effort. “The defensive performance worked great today. We have to stick together, no matter who is on the plate,” emphasized the goalkeeper.

Only 14 German players are still fit

It is also questionable whether Juri Knorr will be healthy again by the knockout game. The playmaker is still in Flensburg for examinations, but is said to be on the mend. “The spatial constellation plays into our hands, and the World Cup quarter-finals, which won’t take place until next Wednesday, give us more time leeway,” said national team manager Benjamin Chatton.

In addition to Knorr, Rune Dahmke and Lukas Stutzke, who were also ill, were also missing from the duel with Tunisia, as was Franz Semper, who had already left the World Cup the day before due to an injury. This meant that the national coach only had 14 players available.

Nevertheless, as announced, Gislason spared some of the regular staff. Captain Johannes Golla, Julian Köster and Renars Uscins watched the 60 minutes in their training jacket on the bench. Marian Michalczik, who was subsequently nominated, made his first World Cup appearance.

Späth and Grgic shine

Späth was allowed to play in goal instead of Andreas Wolff. The 22-year-old was immediately up to speed and played a major role in the favorite’s quick five-goal lead (8:3/10th minute). This support also ensured safety for those in front of him. Youngster Grgic (21) in particular scored at will in the attack.

Given the clear superiority, it was a shame that a few too many careless mistakes crept into the German game. Especially since Späth was a bench between the posts and fended off twelve throws in the first half alone. The game was already decided at halftime.

After the change, the DHB team initially took things a little easier, but then picked up the pace again and were 14 goals ahead at 26:12 in the middle of the second half. In the final phase, Germany maintained their clear lead and saved their energy for the quarter-finals.