Germany's handball team has defeated Croatia 31:28 in the EM semi-final and will face Denmark in the final. A dominant second-half defense secured the victory. The final takes place on Sunday in Herning.
Ten years after the EM triumph in Krakau, Germany's handball national team has reached the European Championship final again. In the semi-final in Herning, coach Alfred Gislason's team defeated vice world champions Croatia 31:28 (17:15). Top scorer was Lukas Zerbe with six goals for THW Kiel.
The match started evenly, tied at 17:15 at halftime. In the second half, Germany's defense took over: A 7:1 run led to a 22:16 lead in the 37th minute. Goalkeeper Andreas Wolff made 13 saves and was named 'Player of the Match'. Justus Fischer blocked three shots in one attack and was key in defense.
Juri Knorr said: 'The defense was the key to this victory. We are ready for Denmark.' Gislason praised: 'We enter the final with broad chests and need a perfect game.' Germany's last mandatory win against Denmark was ten years ago; recent losses include the 2024 Olympic final (26:39).
Denmark qualified with a 31:28 win over Iceland for the final on February 1 at 6 PM (ZDF and Dyn). Players have already secured 24,000 euros prize money for silver, 32,000 for gold. A celebration is planned at Café HumleChok in Silkeborg, followed by a party in Germany.
The team has gained stability in this tournament and now shows title ambitions. Croatia's coach Dagur Sigurdsson, once DHB coach, criticized the organization beforehand, but the match remained fair.
