All of a sudden they're very near the semifinals once more – Muricas News

The method was so simple as it was efficient. The German handball gamers had already gathered on the airport in Podgorica, Montenegro, to speak. Already then it was determined to easily go away the earlier detrimental experiences on the European Championships behind – so to talk solely to proceed to Skopje with constructive baggage.

True to the motto: New nation, new happiness. And the plan labored. Within the first important spherical match in opposition to the Dutch ladies, the German crew gained 36:28 on Friday night and thus secured the primary factors.

In some way all the things that had beforehand been criticized match. The DHB choice managed to unfold the sport and push the tempo successfully, shortly and with enthusiasm. She might additionally depend on good defence-goalkeeper cooperation.

And that in opposition to the Netherlands, in opposition to whom Germany needed to admit defeat within the final 5 video games in earlier tournaments and friendlies. “You may see that we lastly managed to tie the knot. If everybody can have constructive experiences there, self-confidence will increase. We had been capable of present how we are able to play handball,” mentioned Julia Maidhof.

Maidhof began the event weakly

It was an essential step particularly for the 24-year-old, after she had solely scored three targets within the three preliminary spherical matches, typically appeared nervous on the sector and was unable to construct on her performances at SG Bietigheim. Along with her easy errors in catching and stepping, she was virtually symbolic of the slumps which have repeatedly characterised the German crew up to now.

However nationwide coach Markus Gaugisch, who additionally trains Maidhof on the membership, had continued to place his belief in her and wager that she would discover her means into the event. And she or he did. Though the potential has not but been exhausted, Maidhof made a extra constant impression for the primary time at this European Championship.

She assumed accountability, which was all of the extra essential after Germany’s second common proper again Alicia Stolle was unable to participate within the event on account of a hand damage. Consequently, the load must be distributed over a small variety of shoulders. Xenia Smits, Alina Grijseels and Emily Bölk have been the pillars of the German recreation to this point, however in addition they want a break.

Particularly because the desk state of affairs has modified abruptly: Because of the simultaneous victory of Romania in opposition to Spain (28:27), the principle spherical group II, led by the 2 factors higher positioned French and Montenegrins, is nearly balanced.

“Earlier than, we had our backs to the wall. Now we have now seen what can change in 24 hours. We’re again within the event,” says Maidhof. She doesn’t need to be intimidated by the elevated stress.

“There'll all the time be decisive video games coming our means. It's fixed studying and improvement. But when we maintain the perspective that we play freely and need to present Germany that we play nice handball, then we’re good to go.”

Earlier than the demanding brace in opposition to Olympic champions France on Tuesday (8.30 p.m.) and Romania on Wednesday (3.30 p.m./each Sportdeutschland.television), Julia Maidhof and her teammates now have a while to regenerate and refocus. Then the journey ought to proceed positively.