In the Valencian sun, Alina Grijseels stood in front of the team bus that brought the handball national team to Barcelona and emphasized a strength that should lead the German women far at this World Cup: “It was very important to see that we were also close Game can decide for us.

We'll take this tailwind into the main round. ”The 25:24 on Monday evening against Hungary was followed by a big sigh of relief: Finally defeated a strong opponent!

The relief in the selection of the German Handball Federation (DHB) was just as noticeable as increased self-confidence. "We didn't get hectic when things didn't go that way in the second half, we played our moves," said Emily Bölk. She had led the way together with director Alina Grijseels and, like the strong circle runner Meike Schmelzer, had taken on responsibility when the game threatened to tip over at 22:22 in the 49th minute. At the break the Germans had led 14: 9, but as so often in the past, the lead melted and it was a tremendous game. "We shouldn't have made it that exciting for me," said national coach Henk Groener.

After everything went well in the preliminary round venue Lliria near Valencia, the team opened up a brilliant perspective: This Wednesday (6 p.m. on sportdeutschland.tv), Friday and Sunday waiting in the main round in Granollers near Barcelona Congo, South Korea and Denmark. The DHB took four points from the victorious first three games - and with two more successes could already reach the quarter-finals without being under pressure against the strong Scandinavians. However, Groener did not want to look too far ahead. He said, “Expectations don't do that much. I am aiming. "

The national coach has experienced in the previous three major tournaments under his leadership how the team narrowly failed.

This is still possible at this world fair for women's handball - especially in a format with quarter-finals.

A weak day and the beautiful impressions before that no longer count.

But this squad gives the impression of being tougher, smarter and more collegial than previous ones.

Groener praised: “The team fights passionately from start to finish.

It is a great pleasure to see the cohesion. "

Groener uses the squad width

It is becoming apparent that Groener's rotation will be the key to success. He left Emily Bölk outside for a long time on Monday. She plays for Ferencváros Budapest; Accordingly, the Hungarians were prepared for them. When the defenses waned there and Groener brought them back, Emily Bölk scored important hits. Alicia Stolle for Julia Maidhof or Silje Brøns for Alina Grijseels also had their share in the victory. The squad is balanced, and Groener uses this breadth - in goal he swapped Katharina Filter for Dinah Eckerle at the break. Katharina Filter held little, but in the end two important balls behind the 60 minutes of convincing German defense.

Groener had of course seen that his women had awarded a higher victory in a then more relaxed course. "The opposing goalkeeper was named player of the game, that's always bad," he said with a smile. Blanka Biro was almost invincible, especially in counter attacks and from the outside. Emily Bölk said: “We didn't get rewarded up front. But we did not let ourselves be unsettled. We got chances. We kept our rhythm and then put the balls back in. "

Often enough such a goalkeeping performance made the Germans desperate. This time it was different. Which was also due to the fact that the Hungarians rejected less, but made an abundance of mistakes in the build-up of the game. And two or three weighted decisions by the Spanish referees were also included. "It was lucky," said Julia Maidhof. "But I think it deserves it when I think how often we have lost such games with one goal."

The coaches and players then had to put up with the question of whether this long-awaited success in a close game was the next step in development, whether the nerves were more durable for upcoming tasks.

The answer came in unison: Just think until the next gig.

“We are very focused,” said Alina Grijseels.

This DHB selection wants to convince with deeds.