Handball world Cup: match ball for Germany

The match ball for the German handball team wins unexpectedly, but now you want to take advantage of your Chance. Thanks to the surprising defeat of the Croatians against Brazil, the German team on Monday evening against Croatia (20.30 clock/ZDF and in the F. A. Z.-Liveticker zur Handball-WM) a victory, in order to solve at an early stage, the target semi-final Ticket for the world Championships at home. “This gives us the necessary tailwind. With the pressure of the boiler, we are capable of anything“, – said Bob Hanning, Vice-President of the German handball Federation (DHB), before the Top match against Croatia in the evening in the Cologne Arena. The loud crowd will help the team of national coach Christian Prokop to success.

But the Germans are also likely to be warned. Because so much of the tournament come the Croats are allowed to lose after their defeat against Brazil, in order to preserve the Chance for the semi-finals. Croatia captain Domagoj Duvnjak voice after the 26:29 against the strong South Americans of grief and disappointment. “That was a huge surprise, we had not expected,” said the world star of THW Kiel, following Croatia’s first defeat in the tournament. Against the DHB-selection of the backcourt players are now expected to come with a “brutally difficult” game. “But we will fight for 60 minutes. I am looking forward to the duel with my Kiel’s team-mates.“

the defending champion France, which has already completed a game more, leading the main round group 1 after his clear 31:22 victory against Iceland, with 7:1 points. Germany follows with a 5:1 Croatia (4:2). European champion Spain and Brazil will follow before the direct duel against each other each 2:4 points. Both have to hope for a Croatian win against Germany, in order to maintain their minimal chances of making the semi-finals. Is off in this group, only Iceland (0:8).

For the German team might be the initial situation is hardly better. Even if Prokop’s Team will not win the game, it has still chances to enter in the next round. On Wednesday, the skin round meet in the final game to Spain (20.30 clock/ARD and in the F. A. Z.-Liveticker zur Handball-WM). To the Failure of he and his from the previous tournament history euphorisierten player turn, at the Moment, but no thought. “We have dreamed of all that it comes to a game like that, where very much the decides,” said Prokop. “On the game, we would be delighted.”