Victory against Austria: Knorr looks at: Handball players qualified prematurely for EM

The German handball players have made a lot of reparation and secured the early ticket for the European Championship 2026 with a convincing victory against Austria. Two days after the disappointing draw in Vienna, the team of national coach Alfred Gislason in Hanover won 31:26 (16:14). In front of over 10,000 spectators, Marko Grgic with seven goals was the best German thrower.

Since May 2015, the DHB selection in EM qualification games has been unbeaten. At the end of the qualification, the Gislason team will have to get against Switzerland and Turkey in around two months. The European Championship will take place in Denmark, Sweden and Norway from January 15 to February 1, 2026. The German selection plays its games in Herning.

Köster and grgic ice cold

The argue personnel problems in the German ranks had only slightly improved since the first duel on Thursday. Renars Uscins, Justus Fischer and Jannik Kohlbacher were still not operational. Playmaker Juri Knorr was again only in the audience role.

Austria wanted to confirm that it has successfully developed into an equal DHB controller from a former assembly opponent. At the beginning, the plan opened against nervous hosts. Germany only took the lead for the first time in the 14th minute (6: 5).

Compared to the first duel, the German team defended more aggressive. Captain Johannes Golla & Co. were better set in particular on circular colossus Tobias Wagner. In the attack, the hosts around Julian Köster and Grgic used their chances ice cold – even outnumbered the DHB team came to go and expanded his lead to three goals (10: 7).

Späth hits from your own goal

Immediately after the break, the DHB team played into a frenzy and pulled away to 19:14. Germany benefited from numerous false passes from the Austrians. Köster, substitute goalkeeper David Späth and newcomer Miro Schluroff each hit his own ÖHB goal from his own half. “We are more agile attacks,” said sports director Ingo Meckes at halftime.

Germany now dominated the game at will and Späth had a significant part in the goal that the lead over seven goals (24:17) grew. In the usual manner, the U21 world champion celebrated his parades and put the audience in ecstasy in the sold-out Hanoverian arena.

As in Vienna, there are again lack of concentration in the final quarter of an hour. “Damn too many balls away too simply,” Gislason scolded about hasty and risky degrees. However, the lead was too great this time to seriously tremble the DHB team.