Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Büdenbender sent their congratulations, as did star presenter Laura Wontorra, as well as the men’s national team. And at the start of the World Cup, ours Handball-Women don’t burn anything.
The girls of the German Handball Association (DHB) celebrate a 32:25 win against Iceland at the start of the home World Cup at the sold-out Porsche Arena in Stuttgart.
This laid the foundation for the first semifinal participation at a World Cup since 2007, when the German women’s team finished third. DHB president Andreas Michelmann has set the semi-finals as his goal.
In the preliminary round in Stuttgart, the DHB team will face Uruguay on Friday and Serbia on Sunday.
Tough fight! Two Icelandic women depend on Viola Leuchter
Around 6,000 spectators in a full hall, a lavish opening show with dance performances and the World Cup song “Hands up for more” performed live – you could definitely see that the players were nervous at first.
Handball: Germany wins early World Cup against Iceland
After all, one of them didn’t seem to care at all. Super talent Viola Leuchter (21/Odense) made her first four shots and took a two-goal lead for the first time at 8:6. The lead gradually increased and we went into the locker room with an 18:14 lead.
Former national goalkeeper and Sporteurope.tv expert Dinah Eckerle said at the break: “It was expected to be a difficult start to the tournament. There were a few balls thrown away, the build-up play needs to be better. It was good that they scored four goals in the first half. The hall was full of people, the girls were a little nervous.”
Crazy handball scene: Fans set up goals in the Bundesliga
Apparently this also applies to our strong goalkeeper. Katharina Filter (26/Team Esbjerg) barely had the ball at the start of the second half, but at least the four-goal lead was largely held.
It’s good when talent plays without a care in the world. In the second half, Nina Engel (22/Bensheim) also showed her abilities, first scoring two goals in a row until the score was 24:19, then setting up a super Kempa goal from Emily Vogel. When the score was 25:21, Filter then took a seven meter penalty – an early decision, Germany pulled back to 30:22 with five minutes left, and youngest player Nieke Kühne (21/Blomberg-Lippe) now also took matters into his own hands.
Interesting: Men’s national coach Alfred Gíslason was also there – but he was more likely to keep his opponents in check. When asked by Sporteurope.tv who he plays for, the Icelander replied: “A very unfair question, I have to answer it honestly. Of course I have a much more emotional connection with the men’s team, so I would easily lean towards Iceland.”
The national coach is looking forward to the home tournament: “Women’s sport is getting much better, it’s really fun to watch. The women’s team technically plays high-quality handball. I expect a full crowd and big support for the German team, as we know from the men’s tournament. The team has a good chance to reach the semifinals. It’s not easy, but it’s possible.”
The start has been successful. The best throwers in the first match of the World Cup were Alina Grijseels (7 goals), Jenny Behrend (5), Nieke Kühne (5) and Viola Leuchter (4).
