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Kolding (dpa) - Despite all the disappointment, the German handball players quickly looked ahead.

Due to the 27:28 (15:14) defeat in the second main round game of the European Championship against the Netherlands, the DHB selection lost the best possible starting position.

Nevertheless, the team of national coach Henk Groener still has the entry into the semi-finals in the group final against Croatia on Tuesday (6.15 p.m.) in their own hands.

"It was clear anyway that we had to win against Croatia if we want to progress," said the 60-year-old.

“That still remains the case.

We will do everything for that. "

In the duel with the Croatians in Kolding, Denmark, the DHB selection needs a victory with at least two goals difference in order to maintain the chance of the semi-final ticket.

If the Dutch unexpectedly lose against Romania beforehand, a win with one goal would be enough for the German team.

“It's still all there.

Now it's time to put your head up and prepare for Croatia », said Dinah Eckerle.

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Led by the outstanding goalkeeper, the German team had shown a strong performance against the Dutch world champions for a long time.

Julia Behnke and Kim Naidzinavicius were the best throwers in the DHB selection, each with four goals, who missed some top-class chances in the final phase and thus missed at least one draw.

The best two teams in the main round group reach the semi-finals, the still unbeaten record European champions Norway have already qualified.

Compared to the disappointing preliminary round of the European Championship, the German team presented itself again greatly improved against the world champions.

As with the 32:25 success at the start of the main round against Hungary, the DHB selection acted wide awake and highly concentrated from the start.

And she could always rely on the strong Eckerle.

With some excellent saves, the 25-year-old brought the Dutch women to the edge of despair in phases in the first round.

Nevertheless it remained tight.

Groener repeatedly called for faster withdrawal behavior during the time-outs.

But the DHB selection found it difficult to control the opponent's pace.

But because the German attack was much more accurate than in the preliminary round, at least in the first round, things went back and forth.

Still, Groener's team missed pulling away early.

And in the final phase, his team missed some of the best opportunities against unsettled Dutch women.

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"We are of course disappointed that we couldn't win the game," said Naidzinavicius.

"We had the chance to win the game or at least get one point."

Nevertheless, the dream of the semi-finals lives on.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201214-99-692427 / 5

German handball team

Schedule and table main competition group II