Germany opened its qualification campaign for the European Handball Championship with a 42-32 victory over Belgium in front of 12,684 spectators at a sold-out Uber Arena in Berlin, though head coach Alfred Gíslason expressed clear frustration with his team’s defensive frailties during the first half.
Goalkeepers Split Playing Time Under Pressure
- Goalkeeper Rotation: With Andreas Wolff sitting out the matchday squad entirely, David Späth and Lasse Ludwig split minutes, though neither managed to lock down the crease against heavy Belgian pressure before the break.
Defensive Lapses Prompt First-Half Rebuke
Despite the eventual ten-goal margin, the host nation labored through a disjointed opening period. Lacking competitive fixtures for roughly half a year, the DHB selection struggled to establish physical dominance at the back, conceding 18 goals before halftime to leave the score at 22-18.
The defensive breakdown drew an immediate reaction from the bench. During a first-half timeout, Gíslason lambsted his squad’s lack of intensity, declaring, Our problem is the defense. Step it up a notch. This isn’t a friendly match.
as reported by Sport Bild. Co-commentator Silvio Heinevetter echoed the sentiment on Pro7, pointing out that 18 goals against a perceived underdog were simply too many for an aspiring continental contender.
Newcomers Score During Second Half Breakout
The fixture provided valuable minutes for newcomers looking to stake a claim in the senior setup. HSG Wetzlar backcourt player Niklas Theiß marked his international debut with a goal just before the break, while ThSV Eisenach left wing David Móré added his first senior tally in the second half.
Following the intermission, the German defense tightened its rotations, allowing the team to pull away through transition play orchestrated by Lukas Zerbe, Juri Knorr, and Marko Grgic. As fatigue caught up with the Belgian visitors, the gap widened steadily toward the final whistle.
Looking Ahead to Slovakia and the 2029 World Championship
The qualification journey continues swiftly. Germany travels to face Slovakia on Sunday at 18:00, a match where starting goalkeeper Andreas Wolff is expected to return to the squad following his rest day in Berlin. Bild noted that the Slovak side enters the fixture after a narrow defeat to Italy.
Away from the immediate qualification matches, structural announcements confirmed that Berlin will serve as a host city for the 2029 World Men’s Handball Championship, which Germany will co-host alongside France. DHB executive board boss Mark Schober emphasized the capital's return to the tournament schedule.
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