Austria's handball players lose crime against Germany in Hanover

Austria's handball players lose crime against Germany in Hanover

Austria's national handball team had to accept a bitter defeat against Germany in Hanover on Saturday, since they lost 26:31. This match took place only two days after an exciting draw of 26:26 in Vienna, such as Kleine Zeitung reported. Despite a promising starting point with an emotional upgrade from Vienna, the Germans were improved in their form and increased Austria's defense with numerous attacks. The team led by coach Ales Pajovic, who had to compete without playmaker Juri Knorr, fought for every goal, but had problems cracking the German defensive.

The game started promising for the Austrians, but after a 5-1 run by the Germans, the team fell behind. At a gap of 16:12 at half -time, a hard struggle for the points was already foreseeable. In the second half, the mistakes of the Austrian players and Germany took advantage of it ice cold to expand the lead to a whopping seven goals (15:22). Despite the combative performance and the best thrower of Lukas Herburger, who scored five goals, it was no longer possible for the ÖHB selection to be decisively reduced. Pajovic commented on the "simple mistakes" that undertook his team and expressed his disappointment about the second half.

qualification for the EM in danger

After this first defeat in the qualification round, Austria with four points remains in second place behind Germany, which is now qualified for the European Championship. Behind Austria, Switzerland follows with three points and Turkey without point. The crucial struggle for the European Championship qualification will now take place on May 11th in Graz in the duel against Switzerland, which could also be coaching meetings under Pajovic, as . Before this crucial game, the Austrians travel to Turkey, where further points are to be collected. The pressure increases, and Pajovic aims at least four points to maintain the dream of participating in the European Championship finals in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.