In a thrilling encounter at the Hallenstadion in Zürich, Switzerland and Germany played to a dramatic 32:32 draw in their EM qualification match on May 7, 2025. This match was pivotal for both teams as they vie for a spot in the upcoming European Championship scheduled for January 2026 in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
The game kicked off at 19:00 and was streamed live for fans who couldn't attend, with 8,354 spectators witnessing the action unfold. Germany, who came into the match leading Group 7 with 7:1 points, needed a win to secure their position as group leaders. Meanwhile, Switzerland, sitting in third place with six points, was eager to close the gap on the top two teams.
From the outset, Switzerland demonstrated their intent, quickly taking a commanding lead. By the 10-minute mark, they were ahead 5:1, showcasing their strong offensive capabilities. Noam Leopold was particularly impressive, netting nine goals throughout the match, which kept the Swiss hopes alive.
However, as the match progressed, Germany struggled to find their rhythm. Despite their strong start to the qualification campaign, they faced numerous technical errors and missed opportunities. In the first half, Germany trailed 11:14 at halftime, with goalkeeper Andreas Wolff making several crucial saves to keep the deficit manageable.
Germany's coach, Alfred Gislason, expressed his frustration at the team's performance, particularly in the first half. "The first half was extremely poor from us, both in attack and defense," he remarked. His team needed to show more urgency, especially with the EM qualification at stake.
As the second half began, the German squad made a concerted effort to rally. They began to close the gap, thanks in part to the contributions of debutant Mathis Häseler, who scored four goals. Yet, Switzerland refused to back down, maintaining their lead and even extending it to four goals with just eight minutes remaining.
With time running out, Germany's chances of victory seemed slim. But in a remarkable turn of events, they managed to rally back, showcasing their fighting spirit. Juri Knorr, who had been pivotal throughout the match, scored a crucial penalty in the final seconds to equalize the score at 32:32.
After the match, Knorr reflected on the intense finish, stating, "We kept our composure and fought until the end. It feels good to secure the point, but we know we could have performed better." His late equalizer not only salvaged a point for Germany but also ensured their qualification for the upcoming European Championship.
Switzerland's coach, Andy Schmid, was understandably disappointed but proud of his team's performance. "We were so close to a historic victory, and it’s frustrating to let it slip away at the last moment. However, this result keeps us in a strong position for qualification," he commented. Schmid's team had not defeated Germany in a competitive match since 1995, making their near victory even more bittersweet.
With this draw, Germany now leads the group with 8:2 points, while Switzerland remains in third place with six points, tied with Austria. The Swiss team will face Austria in their next match, which could prove decisive for their qualification hopes.
Looking ahead, Germany will play against Turkey in Stuttgart on May 11, 2025, where they will aim to solidify their top position in the group. The draw for the European Championship will take place on May 15 in Herning, Denmark, adding another layer of importance to their upcoming matches.
As both teams reflect on this intense encounter, it’s clear that the stakes are high in this qualification campaign. Fans can expect more thrilling handball action as the teams continue to battle for their places in the prestigious tournament.
