Germany's handball team secured their place in the main round of the 2025 Handball World Championship with a hard-fought victory over Switzerland, winning 31-29. The match, held on January 17, 2025, at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark, was fraught with tension, as the German squad needed this win to advance.
After starting the tournament with success against Poland, where they triumphed 35-28, the team of coach Alfred Gislason faced significant challenges against the Swiss players. Carrying the weight of expectations, the German team was viewed as the clear favorite. Players like Marko Grgic expressed confidence before the match, stating, “If we do our part, we won’t have problems. We know how to beat Switzerland, and I think we will!” (Reported by BILD).
But coming early on, the German squad's rhythm seemed hindered. They struggled offensively, with technical errors undermining their efforts, allowing the Swiss team to take advantage. By the 11-minute mark, Switzerland led by three goals at 5-2, prompting Gislason to call for time to regroup. He urged his players to improve their game after they had only managed to score two goals within the first ten minutes.
Despite this slow start, the German side began to claw back. By the end of the first half, they managed to take the lead with their first goal by Renars Uscins, leading 15-14, but the match remained competitive as both teams traded goals.
The second half saw Germany initially fall behind again, the Swiss team taking the lead 17-16 at one point. Coach Andy Schmid’s comments echoed the challenges his team faced: "The Germans just don’t suit us. Handball isn’t our strong suit. I’m tired of playing against Germany," (Reported by BILD).
Andreas Wolff, the German goalkeeper, proved to be pivotal. With 20 saves throughout the match, he kept Germany within reach as they battled through nerves and missteps. Wolff, reflecting on the pressure, mentioned, “Of course, the last two results against them were quite clear, but I expect a completely different match,” reinforcing the high stakes for both teams.
With the score tied late, it was Germany’s Julian Köster who shone brightly, netting several key goals, including the decisive shots. Meanwhile, the clock closed in on the final minutes with tense moments as both teams vied for control. With less than two minutes remaining, Wolff made yet another significant save, denying a Swiss attempt to close the gap.
The atmosphere was electric, with over 7,000 fans cheering passionately for their teams. Germany, bolstered by the home crowd’s energy, finished strong with late goals from Köster and Uscins, sealing their victory at 31-29.
This win not only advanced Germany to the main round but also showcased their resilience and ability to overcome adversity. “We need to do our job now,” Gislason stated emphatically following the match, alluding to the challenges yet to come. With their next match against the Czech Republic looming, the German team would need to build on this momentum and fine-tune their performance.
Germany currently leads Group A, with 4 points, positioning them well as they look toward continued success. They need to maintain focus and consistency as they face tougher competition, including Olympic champions Denmark and competitive Italy, later on.
The stage is set for the continuation of the tournament, and all eyes will be on how the German handball team builds from their hard-earned win against Switzerland.