Before the World Cup game against Denmark: German handball players are aiming for group victory

After reaching the quarter-finals early at the Handball World Cup, the DHB women are now playing for group victory – and are brimming with self-confidence.

After reaching the quarter-finals, Emily Bölk rejected all party plans among Germany’s handball players. “We’re not here just to lie in the Danish snow”she said: “Now it’s about it, from now on everything is finals for us.”

First group victory, then World Cup medal?

And after jumping into the knockout phase of the World Cup, national coach Markus Gaugisch only had the game against hosts Denmark on Monday (8.30 p.m./im Live-Ticker at sportschau.de) in your head. “We’re not under any pressure, but we’re keen”says Gaugisch: “We’re really keen to take first place fightin.” First the group victory, then the fight for the World Cup medals – that is the simple formula of the DHB selection, which now has the longed-for ticket for the Olympic qualification tournament in its pocket.

Gaugisch sees Denmark as favoured

After the confident 31:21 (14:13) against Serbia, the focus was on: the main round final against the Scandinavian title contenders in front of 15,000 frenetic spectators in Herning electrified the German team Team. Bölk, who was named player of the game on Saturday evening with four goals in her 100th international match, emphasized: “If we continue to perform like this and give everything at full throttle, then we can make it difficult for every opponent.”

But even if his Team Going into the game as the league leaders, Gaugisch sees the European runner-up as the clear favorite: “Each of the Danes plays in a top club. They are not just bench players, but all top performers.”

Free training on Sunday

Ice barrel, good food, sleep – after the Serbia game, regeneration was on the agenda for Bölk and her teammates. On Sunday, Gaugisch’s German team was also given a day off from training in order to recharge their batteries before the hot phase of the tournament. This also suited co-captain Alina Grijseels. The playmaker, who missed the Serbia game because of a horse kiss, is expected to be back on Monday.

“If she’s fit, she can play,” said Gaugisch. Grijseels needs their rhythm before the quarter-finals. During the Denmark game you could “Then we’ll just see how it goes”. A decision about the deployment of Grijseels will be made shortly.

Deficits on offense

In order to trip up the Scandinavians in front of a loud home crowd, the DHB team has toTeam increase. The victory on Saturday over Serbia was confident in the end, but the deficits in the offensive did not go unnoticed at 31:21. “If we play against strong… Teams If we want to survive like Denmark, we have to make better use of our opportunities and improve our throwing effectiveness.”demanded left winger Antje Döll, referring to the many missed throws against Serbia.

“We have lost the peace and quiet”

The fact that the DHB women can now overcome periods of weakness almost unscathed speaks for the development of the team. “I’m happy that the players get out of situations like this. Even when I’m angry, they stay focused and implement our advice.”said Gaugisch. Döll described her maturation process in a more compact way Teams: “We’ve lost our peace of mind now.”