Struggles in Olympic trial - Replacements steal the spotlight in match against Sweden
With the absence of unwell Juri Knorr (Lions), hurt Renars Uscins (Hanover), Sebastian Heymann (Göppingen), and Nils Lichtlein (Foxes), the German squad is set to perform in this game as they prepare to showcase their skills for the Olympics. German coach Alfred Gislason (64) can only take 14 players to Paris with him.
The Germans haven't won any of their prior seven encounters with one another, and it doesn't seem promising in the first half (11:19). It was supposed to be an opportunity for revenge, given that the Swedes triumphed over the DHB team in the match for third place at the home European Championship in January (31:34). Nevertheless, the German team deteriorated significantly, particularly in scoring, and the Swedes outshined them.
The initial half was subpar: The DHB team squandered 13 chances and made seven blunders. After 10:14 (23'), suddenly nothing was working well for them, and the Swedes were leading by nine goals (10:19) after 29 minutes. That was not part of the plans. David Späth (Rhein Neckar-Löwen) couldn't corral the ball.
Gislason made a radical switch in the second half, subbing in Späth, Mertens, Köster, Michalczik, Häfner, Golla, and Zerbe with Andi Wolff between the pipes, plus Dahmke, Hornke, Semper, Witzke, Fischer, and the newcomer from Eisenach, Marko Grgic (21). The game significantly improved, with the second set being tied at 20:24 (45') and 24:28 due to Wolff's remarkable saves and Franz Semper's phenomenal long-range scores (5 goals).
However, the Swedes did not let the victory (34:28) get away from them. The only comfort was that the Germans won the second half 17:15. Notably, the performers from Leipzig, Franz Semper and Luca Witzke, performed exceptionally well.
Both teams will face each other again on July 27 during the start of the Olympic competition in Paris.
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Source: symclub.org
