Germany's women's handball team, fresh off their 20:23 final loss to Norway in Rotterdam, has thrust the sport into the mainstream. Nearly six million viewers tuned in, and players like Emily Vogel and Alina Grijseels became overnight sensations.
Following their undefeated run to the final—capped by a semifinal win over France—the DHB squad drew a peak audience of nearly six million on ARD and ZDF, captivating every third TV viewer that Sunday afternoon.
On Monday, stars including Emily Vogel, Alina Grijseels, Viola Leuchter, and Antje Döll (whose club faced bankruptcy this summer yet earned All-Star honors) signed Dortmund's Golden Book. Previously niche names now buzz in offices and on social media.
This silver medal—Germany's first since 2007—highlights handball's potential to unite audiences, briefly elevating a sport typically played to small crowds.
